All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 501 - 550 of 5173
The "Peacemaker" bronze sculpture in Niwot's Sculpture Park, on the southwest corner of Niwot Road and 79th Street, is a big step closer to belonging to the community. The Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA), which manages the park pursuant to an agreement with the Cottonwood Park West Homeowners Association and Boulder County, announced that it has received a commitment for a $50,000 donation towards the purchase of the sculpture created by renowned artist Bobbie Carlyle of Loveland. The...
Niwot's Lobsterfest is returning this Saturday, June 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Whistle Stop Park. While there have been over 100 tickets sold, there are still tickets left for the event, which is capped at 200 people. A $95 adult ticket includes entrance, a "Cape Codder" welcome cocktail, lobster, sides, designer cookies, and ice cream. At a cost of $35 for children, tickets include lobster mac and cheese, sides, designer cookies, ice cream, a juice box, and a fun-filled goodie bag. Beer, wine,...
After the opening night concert was cut short due to a thunderstorm, fans are eager to attend week two of Niwot's Rock & Rails summer concert series on Thursday, June 6 at Whistle Stop Park. Concertgoers will be able to enjoy music, dancing, drinks, food trucks, activity booths, and people-watching from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The June 6 event features The Hot Lunch Band, based in Denver, as the headliner. The band will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Known for their high-energy funk, The Hot Lunch Band...
In 2008, the St. Vrain Valley School District's (SVVSD) overall graduation rate was approximately 75%, with the Hispanic graduation rate at approximately 55%. Over 16 years, the district has seen significant progress. As of 2024, the overall district graduation rate has risen to an impressive 93.3%, and the Hispanic student graduation rate has also seen a substantial increase, now at 87.7%. According to Don Haddad, Superintendent of SVVSD, these improvements were achieved despite the district's...
Rock & Rails' 2024 season has begun. The Left Hand Valley Courier will be featuring volunteers at the event that are a major aspect of the weekly concerts. Volunteers are integral in the organization and operation leading up to and during Rock & Rails every year. The organizers of Rock & Rails have made great efforts to make it a zero-waste venue. If you are a regular or returning patron to the Thursday night concerts, you're probably familiar with the people who sit on top of the recycling and...
"Track has always been something I enjoyed," said rising Niwot High School senior Eliana Henriques. "I hope to participate on a college team after I graduate from high school next summer. It has been a challenging past few years, but I feel like I'm finally making a comeback." Henriques' sophomore year track season was cut short due to injury when she hit a hurdle while running in March 2023. She tore her ACL and later had surgery in April 2023, followed by a lengthy nine months of physical...
From June 12 to June 15, 10 local Niwot High School students will compete in various track and field events at the Nike Outdoor Nationals Tournament held at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus. They are attending the tournament as part of REAL Training, a local club team consisting of students from Centaurus High School, Legacy High School, Montrose High School, Niwot High School, and Riverdale Ridge High School. The 10 Niwot students will join seven students from the other high...
As the school year comes to a close, so do some of the articles about in school activities such as clubs. Throughout this year the Left Hand Valley Courier has covered Model United Nations, Best Buddies Club, Drama Club, NASA Club, A Capella Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Asian Student Association, Dance Club, Students for Rare Diseases, Political Action Club, Gender Studies Club, Coding Club, Earth Club, and finally Helping Hands Club. From community service to singing, each unique...
Cooper Edwards, a Niwot Elementary School fifth-grader, represented his community on the national stage at the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 28 and May 30. Edwards has earned his place among the nation's 250 top young spellers, showcasing a dedication to the spelling competition while balancing other hobbies as well. Edwards' journey to the National Spelling Bee began earlier this year when he won first place at the Boulder Valley Regional Spelling Bee. He approached the national...
The Night of Champions ceremony unfolded with an air of anticipation and excitement as students, teachers, parents, and community members gathered to recognize the exceptional achievements of Niwot High School individuals and teams throughout the school year. From academic brilliance to athletic prowess, the event summarized the student body's spirit of dedication and perseverance. Eric Rauschkolb, Niwot High School's Principal, opened the June 2 formalities, setting the stage for an evening fil...
On Memorial Day, over 48,000 participants lined up to race the Bolder Boulder 10K. Out of that number, a whopping 242 participants live in Niwot, with 125 women and 116 men participating. With so many participants, runners are timed based on age and gender instead of just the finishing time and place. In addition to the amateur racing categories, the Bolder Boulder, which first started in 1979, has expanded to include Elite categories and an International Pro Team Challenge that attracts...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
Niwot's wildly popular Rock & Rails summer concert series resumes Thursday, May 30, at Whistle Stop Park, a week earlier than in prior years. Once again, all summer long concertgoers will be able to enjoy music, dancing, drinks, food trucks, activity booths and people-watching. Concerts are held from 5 -9 p.m. every Thursday through August 29, except for a break on the 4th of July. The May 30 event features Deborah Stafford & the Night Stalkers as the headliner taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. One...
NCA Clean-Up Day is sponsored by the Niwot Community Association and is one of Niwot's biggest events every year. One of the NCA's board members has always spearheaded the event since its conception over twenty years ago. One NCA board member has been involved with the program for over 10 years, and has served as the lead program manager for the past four years. For his volunteer efforts in managing and coordinating Niwot's Clean-Up Day, this month's Left Hand Laurel is awarded to John Barto. Ba...
Niwot High School announced its inaugural Hall of Fame class, "honoring a group of five remarkable individuals who have woven themselves into the very fabric of our school and community: Tiny Koehler, Sue Prahl, Debbi and Art Stapp, Terri Ward, and Biff Warren," in a press release. The Night of Champions Celebration will be held in the Niwot High School auditorium on Sunday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m. to not only celebrate the school's inaugural Hall of Fame inductees, but also the achievements of...
The main hall of Left Hand Grange No. 9 is in the midst of getting a big update. Improvements to the gathering space over the past year are now officially from floor to ceiling. In May, newly installed ceiling tiles and freshly painted walls renewed and greatly improved the space's ambiance. Both bathrooms have also been updated with new fixtures and paint. Next up, literally, will be new lighting fixtures. The Grange invites the public to stop in and to peer through the windows to get a good lo...
Saturday May 25 marked the official completion of high school for the Niwot High School class of 2024. Niwot's commencement was held at the high school on the football field where 338 graduates received their diplomas and recognition from faculty alongside friends, family, and peers. Commencement opened with the singing of the National Anthem performed by graduates Jasper Allison, Merrick Blondeau, Jackson Carano, and Fred Zorgdrager. Everyone was then welcomed by Principal Eric Raushkolb as he...
As Rock & Rails concertgoers enter Whistle Stop Park, they can't miss the greeters holding large tip jars. Each week of Rock & Rails, non-profit organizations that have been approved following an application process are invited to collect donations for that week. In return, they help with set up, take down, and operation of the event. Half of the tip jar collections at the May 30 concert will go to Scouting America (the name changed from the Boy Scouts of America earlier this month). Donations...
The Boulder County Plein Air Festival, hosted by Open Studios, begins this week at the former feed store in Niwot and will run through July 5. Seventy artists submitted portfolios this year on a national level. This is reported to be one of the largest Plein Air Festivals in the country, with the largest award packet offered by the festival, according to Mary Horrocks, the Executive Director of Open Studios. This will be the first national plein air contest since the COVID pandemic. The competition, which started in 2017, stopped in 2020 due...
One or more vandals caused significant property damage at Monarch Park's Hangge Fields the night of Friday, May 17, or early the next morning. To make matters worse, minority groups were targeted with racist and homophobic graffiti sprayed on a dugout close to the parking lot. For over 50 years, the non-profit Niwot Youth Sports has organized youth sports programs year-round for children ages 4-18 in the Niwot-Gunbarrel area. At Monarch Park, the organization uses a total of six ballfields for...
Homegrown talent is harder to come by for Niwot High School athletics these days. NHS pulls from over fifty middle schools for its student body and open enrollment at all St. Vrain Valley high schools allows students to choose where they study and compete during their high school years. But one of the most exciting young athletes at NHS is a Niwot area native, who just completed her sophomore year, and is already a girls lacrosse state champion. Payton Johnson, a rising junior at Niwot High...
After a weather delay on April 28, Niwot Youth Sports President Pat Longseth is eager to cut the ribbon on the new Niwot Youth Sports Monarch Improvement Project building. The end-of-season celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony is now scheduled for Sunday, June 23, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Hangge Fields at Monarch Park. The six-field complex, with access off of Highway 52 just west of 79th Street, is now home to a building that includes permanent restrooms, a concession area, and equipment storage...
This year's Class 4A state tournament served as another reminder of how much potential lies within the Niwot High School girls golf program. With three competing golfers, including lone senior Mina O'Dell, the Cougars placed seventh in the team standings with a two-round combined score of 555. Head coach Ed Weaver's trio shot a 280 in the first round on Monday, May 20, before cutting off five strokes the next day at the Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Last year, O'Dell,...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
Volunteers from the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and the Niwot Business Association gathered at Whistle Stop Park on Saturday, May 18, to clean out the Depot building, wash down the beer trailer, hang sponsors' banners and make sure the park is ready for the 18th season of Rock & Rails. The popular summer concert series kicks off on Thursday, May 30 at 5 p.m. when The Delta Sonics take the stage to open for Deb Stafford & The Night Stalkers. Co-Managers Vicki Maurer, Dan Hawk and Biff Warren...
The Niwot Community Association's annual Clean-Up Day event, held May 18, was its most successful to date. There were 203 vehicles that attended (including those who made multiple trips). In the days leading up to the event, there were 13 membership dues paid (new and/or renewed) with an additional 24 on the day of the event. The NCA currently tracks 34 new members who have signed up this year with many who still have not renewed their membership. New elements and accepted items that were incorp...
We are sad to share that Dallas Plese passed away at home on May 14, 2024. A rare Colorado native, Dallas was born July 17, 1941, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Theodore and Christine Plese. Christine died shortly after childbirth and Theodore died two years later during training for WWII. Dallas was then adopted by an aunt and uncle in Pueblo where he grew up with two sisters, numerous cousins, and lifelong friends. Dallas attended Pueblo Catholic High School (PCH) where he was the definitive Big Man...
Dave and Maggie Lee of Niwot are kind and gracious. They know what they value and stand for, and they have focused on their values as much as possible during their long marriage. Prioritizing their family, pursuing meaningful work, nurturing longtime friendships and serving others through their church are consistent themes in their lives. Dave is from Pueblo, Colorado, Maggie from Salem and Portland, Oregon. The two met in high school after Dave's family moved to the Northwest. Dave graduated...
Niwot High School seniors' last day of school, May 15, was marked with camaraderie, in sharp contrast to the COVID-induced isolation of their freshman year. The Senior Car Parade, organized with assistance from the NHS Booster Club, began in 2020 when seniors were unable to enjoy the traditional end-of-year experiences and celebrations such as prom, awards nights, concerts, and group graduations due to the pandemic. The car parade allowed the community to recognize and celebrate Niwot's seniors...
For Liza McConnell, Research Farm Director for Sprout City Farms, farming and working at Jack's Solar Garden is a multi-sensory experience that began as a passion for cooking good, fresh food. "Really freshly grown food is a wonderful experience - the flavor, color, and vibrancy is just amazing," said the Niwot resident. "The first time eating food directly from a farm really made an impression on me." Helping others experience the same fresh food and finding regenerative farming practices that...
Only a few weeks removed from her third and final season within the Niwot High School girls soccer program, Menbere Sullivan is already experiencing some nostalgia looking back on her senior campaign. "It was definitely the best high school season I've had," Sullivan said. "Our team was super close all year. Even if it was a super young team, I think the upperclassmen really stepped up. Our team had the same goal and purpose for the whole year, which I think really helped throughout our season....
Oliver Fowler of Scout Troop 161 in Niwot, acquired the final rank of Eagle Scout at a ceremony on Sunday, May 19. He is the 107th Eagle Scout from Troop 161 since 1973. Fowler has undergone the trials of earning 21 merit badges (14 of which are required for Eagle Scout) plus an additional five earning him a bronze Eagle Palm. "Many people think that once you earn your Eagle Scout, you've reached the end," said Advancement Chair Michelle Law, "but this is not true. You can earn achievements...
Niwot High School's Spring Pops Choral Concert held on May 14, featured the Tenor and Bass Choir, the Treble Choir, the Chamber Singers, Evenstar, the student a cappella group, the Unaccompanied Minors, and combinations of choirs. The Tenor and Bass Choir performed "Uptown Funk" by Bruno Mars, "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King, and the English sea shanty song, "Drunken Sailor." The Treble Choir performed "Build Me Up Buttercup" by Mike d'Abo and Tony Macaulay and made popular by The Foundations,...
The Niwot High School girls tennis team had an eventful week competing in the Class 4A state championships. In the individual competition held May 9-11 at Pueblo City Park, four students took home third-place trophies. Sophomore Saha Kolli placed third in No. 1 singles by defeating Megan Fields from Pueblo County, 6-0 and 6-0, in the first round and Joanna Carter from Severance in the quarterfinals, 6-1 and 6-2, before losing to Lila Moldenhauer from Kent Denver, 6-1 and 6-1, in the semifinal round. She then defeated Haylee Hussmann from Air...
Coach Debbie Stewart's Silver Creek swimmers and divers took home the Class 4A state title May 11, scoring 329 points, 62 points ahead of second-place Windsor High School at 267. "The class of 2024 had an amazing run," Stewart said, "finishing first in 2021, second in 2022, second in 2023 and first in 2024." The combined team from Silver Creek and Niwot high schools started strong with a victory in the 200 Medley Relay, with senior Stephen Codevilla leading off, followed by junior Chayakorn...
Niwot High School's girls golf team qualified three golfers for the Class 4A state tournament in Colorado Springs, giving the Cougars a chance to place as a team. The regional tournament was held at Twin Peaks Golf Course in Longmont, with 67 girls competing for the 21 state qualifying scores. Junior Alena Kasanicky led the Cougar squad with a fifth-place finish, followed by freshman Wendy Cheruiyot (16) and senior Mina O'Dell (21). "Mina got into a playoff," Coach Ed Weaver said. With a 3-way...
The Colorado State Track and Field Championships resulted in big wins for Niwot High School at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. The 3-day event, which concluded May 18, gave the Cougars a chance to compete against the best in Class 4A in the state. And the runners and throwers from Niwot did not disappoint, turning in exceptional performances to dominate the meet, with a fifth consecutive state team championship by the Cougar girls, and a second-place tie by the Cougar boys. No other school came...
Although disappointed by the season-ending first-round playoff loss, the Niwot High School varsity baseball team left Colorado’s Western Slope with heads held high. The Cougars, who fought their way into regionals by winning seven straight games to close the regular season, pushed host Palisade High School to its limits in the Class 4A Region 4 tournament opener on Saturday, May 18. Niwot tallied 13 hits and scored runs in five different frames but was ultimately undone by walks, errors, and a difficult sixth inning in the 17-10 loss. Palisade,...
The Niwot High School girls soccer team has played their last game of the year, falling to Lutheran High School in the first round of this year's playoffs. Niwot came into the series with an impressive 8-4-3 record that landed the team the 21st spot out of 32 teams. The Cougars came in against a very strong 12th-ranked Lutheran team that has been on a warpath since the playoffs started, taking down everyone in their way en route to their state championship match. In the second round, Lutheran...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
The Boulder Heritage Roundtable held its 32nd annual Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month awards ceremony at the Chautauqua Community House on May 8, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. There, Niwot's Kathy Koehler was presented with the Square Nail Award which recognizes individuals who have made significant and impactful movements toward historic and/or archaeological preservation/education in Boulder County. Koehler has been involved with the Niwot Historical Society (NHS) for over a decade and has...
The edge of spring verging onto warmer summer months marks the start of the House Blend Band concerts on Second Avenue. The concerts start on Saturday, May 18, at 6 p.m., with one concert every month throughout the summer. This year, the House Blend Band event will be working with the Boulder County chapter of Slow Food to provide salads at the event in addition to the spaghetti that is typically served at Old Oak Coffeehouse. All of the ingredients for the salads are locally sourced from farms and businesses in or around the Niwot area to...
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...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is spotlighting various local neighborhoods, their history, issues and general nature. This week, the Courier is focusing on Gunbarrel Estates. Gunbarrel Estates has its roots in the early 1960s, when it was developed by Bowron Builders, Inc., the same company which created several subdivisions in Niwot. It's not only conveniently located near Gunbarrel's shopping, the Boulder Country Club, and employers such as Celestial Seasonings and IBM, it was thoughtfully...
Photography and beekeeping are Jeff Server's passions, but he did not expect to be talking about both at the opening of his photography exhibit at Inkberry Books. On the evening of Friday, May 3, Gene Hayworth and Keith Waters of Inkberry Books hosted one of their frequent receptions highlighting the works of local artists. Niwot resident Server, whose photography will be on display throughout May, is featured this month. Several attendees, expecting to hear Server's remarks about his eight...
Sales tax revenues for 2024 in Niwot continue to decline, based on data through February, with revenues down by 11% over the same period in 2023. Several funding requests were approved by the LID Advisory Committee (LID). Rock & Rails The 18th year of Rock & Rails, Niwot’s summer concert series, begins on Thursday, May 30, this year. The event takes place in Whistle Stop Park every Thursday night in June, July (except July 4th) and August, with 13 concerts total. Biff Warren, one of the three co-managers of the event, presented the funding r...
Hitting a baseball, already one of the most difficult tasks in all of sports, became significantly more challenging for Sergio Pimentel when he suffered an orbital fracture last summer. Pimentel's injury occurred when a baseball struck him in the face, tearing a muscle in his right eye that now keeps his pupil permanently dilated. Along with struggling to see in bright environments, Pimentel's right eye now interprets straight lines as curved. Little came easy for Pimentel early in his senior...
