All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Banners adorn the streets of Niwot displaying photos, names and service descriptions of military veterans with connections to the community. The banners, as part of Niwot’s Veterans Banner Project, have been displayed annually since 2019 by the Niwot Community Association (NCA) in conjunction with the Niwot Business Association (NBA) during this time of year for families in the Niwot area to honor their loved ones’ service to our country. The annual celebration ceremony honoring veterans wil...
The Great Pumpkin Party kicked off its 27th year in Niwot with an immense crowd on Saturday, Oct. 26, with hundreds of trick-or-treaters in costume roaming the Niwot business district from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Local businesses, with owners and staff dressed in costumes themselves, gave out candy to the trick-or-treaters. The Left Hand Grange provided children's movies for youngsters who needed a short break from trick-or-treating. The Niwot High School Key Club created another very popular...
The annual Great Pumpkin Party will be coming back with plenty of spooktacular events on Oct. 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event, spanning Second Avenue and Cottonwood Square, has been a Halloween tradition in Niwot for the past 27 years. Pat Murphy, one of the founders of the event, continues to organize the activities on behalf of the Niwot Business Association, with funding from the Niwot Local Improvement District. Family-friendly events will include three magic shows in Cottonwood...
REVENUE Revenues from the 1% sales tax in the Niwot Local Improvement District is down 8.8% compared to a year ago through July, but the percentage of decrease actually dropped a full percentage point, from 9.8%, since June. LID Treasurer Mary Coonce reported that retail sales are down 7.4%, while accommodations and food are up 6.7% year-to-date compared to 2023. The largest percentage decrease is in a category of "Other and Wholesale," which is down 35% year-to-date. Four funding requests were...
Anybody who has been to a Rock & Rails concert is well aware of the hard work that goes into making sure as much waste as possible is recycled or composted, and the park is kept neat and tidy. And with a goal of zero waste, the Rock & Rails organizing committee, administered by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) and the Niwot Business Association (NBA), is utilizing help behind the scenes to make this goal a reality in every aspect of the event. As the Rock & Rails zero waste...
The Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee met on a zoom call Sept. 3 to consider a funding request from the Niwot Business Association (NBA) for holiday lighting, and discuss the planned underpass on CO 119 as part of the planned bikeway, as well as declining LID revenues. Holiday Lighting Angela Hudgins, NBA administrative coordinator, presented the lighting request for funding. In the application requesting funding of $8,607, Hudgins wrote, "Niwot would like to repeat the...
On Friday, Sept. 6, Cottonwood Square transformed into a lively celebration of country dance as Dancing Under the Stars hosted its first-ever country dance night. The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter and the clinking of cowboy boots, as twinkling lights shone overhead casting a soft glow on the crowd below. The blend of cowboy hats, denim, pearl snap shirts, and lively country tunes gave the night an authentic feel. Participants were treated to an array of country dance styles,...
If you have been keeping up with the Left Hand Valley Courier's Familiar Face features throughout the 2024 Rock & Rails season, you may have noticed a certain "photo-bomber" in the background of a few photos. While Rock & Rails came to a close this past Thursday, Aug. 29, with Hazel Miller's closing performance, that "photo-bomber" is a dedicated volunteer who deserves recognition. Tony Maurer has been a weekly regular behind the bar in the Depot for more than 10 years. He first got involved...
The penultimate salsa dance evening of the Dancing Under the Stars season brought a large, enthusiastic crowd to Cottonwood Square on Friday, Aug. 30. With perfect weather and a gorgeous sunset as the backdrop, the night was a memorable one for the dancers. Marcela Lay, the evening's instructor, introduced new moves that challenged and delighted participants, adding to their growing repertoire of salsa steps. Her teaching style was both engaging and accessible, ensuring that newcomers and vetera...
Three writers for the Left Hand Valley Courier, Deborah Cameron, Vicky Dorvee, and Elise S. Marylander, were recognized at the Colorado Press Association (CPA) awards banquet for their articles from 2023 in the CPA's Better News Contest. Judging is conducted anonymously by journalists from another state, and awards are presented based upon size and type of publication. The Courier is a Class 5 publication as a weekly newspaper in a small community. Cameron, who writes for the Courier as well as...
On Friday, Aug. 23, Dancing Under the Stars featured a lively blend of waltz, folk, and contra dancing, bringing a fresh dynamic to Niwot's beloved event. The evening was accompanied by live music from keyboardist Teri Rasmusson and fiddler Royston Hunget, whose harmonious tunes set the perfect mood for the traditional dances. Earlier in the season, Rasmusson, a Niwot resident, performed with violinist Julia Hays on July 12. Adding to the energy was Tina Fields, who called the dances and guided...
All nine members of the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) met with Boulder County Commissioners Claire Levy and Marta Loachamin on Aug. 12 at the Left Hand Grange building in Niwot. The meeting, which had been rescheduled several times, is an annual affair in which LID members can give an update on the state of Niwot and hear directly from the commissioners about their priorities. County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann, who is the elected representative from an area which...
The Niwot community and many of its events are made possible only through the efforts of community volunteers, people who dedicate their personal, unpaid time to make this town fun, eventful, and engaging. One such volunteer is Terry Larsen, treasurer and board member of the Niwot Community Association (NCA), an organization whose board is made up entirely of volunteers. For her volunteer efforts, Larsen is this month's Left Hand Laurel. Larsen has been a Niwot resident since December of 1999....
While Rock & Rails may be coming to a close soon, the free music will continue for one more week with the annual Remember in September (RISE) Benefit Concert for the Jared Music Foundation. The concert will take place on Thursday, Sept. 5, at Whistle Stop Park from 5 to 9 p.m. This concert is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) or the Niwot Business Association (NBA), but has sometimes been referred to as the "unofficial Rock & Rails victory lap"...
Once again, the parking lot in front of Cottonwood Square's WiNot Coffee Company and The Little Shop became a Friday night outdoor ballroom during Niwot's Dancing Under the Stars. On Aug. 16, nearly 175 participants and spectators enjoyed the return of Swing Dance Night, with the event's usual introductory lesson, followed by open dance for the rest of the night. Catherine McHale and Tom Masterson organized the evening, as they do every Friday. "We have salsa, swing dancing, and country...
Rock & Rails kicks off again this Thursday, Aug. 15 with Charted Territory entertaining Niwot with a variety of pieces that range from heavy guitar-driven classics to dance tunes. Formerly known as All About the Brass, this seven-piece group has evolved throughout the years since its creation in 2015. Various decades of music are represented during Charted Territory's performances, giving room for everybody to enjoy the feelings of nostalgia that music provides. The band includes Niwot High...
The second annual Flower Fest on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Niwot's business district proved to be a resounding success, drawing in a large crowd eager to celebrate the beauty of summer blooms, local artistry, and community spirit. Event organizer Kathy Trauner, owner of Fly Away Home, expressed her delight, noting, "Visitors seemed to really enjoy themselves." The festival's signature activity, the "Flower Journey," was a major hit. With 150 passports available for attendees...
There are so many who volunteer behind the bar at Rock & Rails every week during the summer, but one particular volunteer stands out. This week's Familiar Face is Mary Coonce, well-known through her work at Porchfront Homes in Niwot. In fact, Porchfront Homes built the Whistle Stop Park building where Coonce serves adult beverages, known as The Depot, in 2020. Prior to that, alcohol was served from a tent known as the "beer tent," which required set-up and take-down every Thursday night during...
Friday, Aug. 9, Dancing Under the Stars brought a spicy new flavor to the dance floor with Nathan Hook leading a Cuban-style salsa. Making his first appearance as an instructor this season, Hook introduced a fresh salsa style to the event, adding variety and excitement for both regulars and newcomers. Hook took his time with the basic steps, watching all participants closely and offering advice when he felt it was necessary. As in previous weeks, switching partners was encouraged often,...
Blessings Day Spa has moved into a new location at 240 Second Avenue and will be having a Grand Opening on Aug. 17 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the new location. Blessings moved from its former location in Cottonwood Square next to Subway, and now occupies the space which was the former home of Nourish & Company. Blessings Day Spa offers facials, aesthetics, physical therapy and massage therapy. "We moved because our lease was up, it was serendipitous about how it all came to be," said Julie Stenz, the...
On Saturday, August 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Niwot will come alive with the vibrant colors of the Flower Fest. The second year of this annual celebration will be held on 2nd Avenue and in Cottonwood Square and promises a delightful experience for all ages. Kathy Trauner, owner of Fly Away Home and one of the event organizers, describes the Fest as a celebration of everything we love about summer. "Flowers are everywhere, all grown by local farmers," said Trauner. One of the event's highlights...
Dancing Under the Stars brought the community together once again on Friday, Aug. 2, for an evening filled with music, laughter, and swing dancing. Held at Cottonwood Square in Niwot, the night focused on swing dancing, with Lorne Fultonberg and Boulder Swing Dance leading the way. The evening kicked off with a lesson in Lindy Hop, one of the most popular styles of swing dancing. Instructors from Boulder Swing Dance took to the floor, guiding both seasoned dancers and first-timers through many...
The latest Dancing Under the Stars proved that not even rain can stop a community dedicated to dance. On Friday, July 26, the event overcame a temporary downpour to deliver another memorable salsa evening in Cottonwood Square. At the end of Joseph Snowhawk's salsa dance lesson, a Colorado thunderstorm decided to join the dance. Event organizer Tom Masterson joked, "Mother Nature knows when it's Friday in Niwot," referring to other brief rainstorms that have cut in on the event. Some attendees to...
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... Full story
On Friday, July 19 dancers of all skill levels gathered at Dancing Under the Stars to learn how to Lindy Hop under the tutelage of Lorne Fultonberg from Boulder Swing Dance. Fultonberg focused on Lindy Hop, a swing-style dance that originated in Harlem, New York, in the 1920s and '30s. It developed in response to the Black jazz music of the Swing Era. Around 150 people squeezed onto the makeshift dance floor in Cottonwood Square and were introduced to the art form. Toward the end of the dance le...
Discussions have been underway since March between Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting and the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) regarding the location and alignment of the proposed underpass linking the planned bikeway in the median of the Diagonal and the RTD park-n-ride parking lot with downtown Niwot. The original plans for the bikeway did not include an underpass on the northbound lanes of the Diagonal Highway, but the LID and the Niwot Business...
The third week of Niwot's Dancing Under the Stars brought a touch of elegance to Cottonwood Square on Friday, July 12. The waltz and folk dance evening featured live music by the talented duo of Terri Rasmussen and Julia Haze, setting the tone for a magical night. The evening began again with a dance lesson led by Tom Masterson, one of the event organizers, from 7 to 7:45 p.m. After slowly teaching the basic steps, Masterson lined attendees up for a circle waltz before handing off the mic to...
The Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) approved funding for three items at its July 9, 2024 meeting. Flower Fest Kathy Trauner of Fly Away Home Decor presented an application from the Niwot Business Association (NBA) for the second annual Flower Fest event scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the application, Trauner wrote, "Flower Fest is designed to delight visitors and bring new customers to area businesses." "[W]e offer a 'Flower Journey' in which the first 150...
On Friday July 5, dancers from all over gathered for the first swing dance evening of Dancing Under the Stars this summer. At 7 p.m., dancers moved cautiously towards the makeshift dance floor for dance lessons led by Tom Masterson, one of the event organizers. Participants of all ages and skill levels joined in, learning the basic steps of swing dancing. Masterson let attendees take their time, stepping in when he felt it was necessary. With his swing dance crash course, the dancers were ready...
Dancing Under the Stars opened up its 2024 season on June 28 in Cottonwood Square in front of The Little Shop and WiNot Coffee Company. The event brought together dance enthusiasts and curious newcomers for an evening of dancing. While weather threatened to disrupt the night, a thunderstorm quickly moved through Niwot at the very beginning of the evening, leaving the crowd with a cloud-covered sky and an occasional sprinkle, a much-needed cool-off for those on the dance floor. The night began...
Western Wellness Chiropractic, owned by Barry Mathieu, a chiropractor with 10 years of experience, recently opened in the space at 198 2nd Avenue in Niwot above Chill Cryotherapy and Recovery. Mathieu seeks to educate people and help with spinal health, posture, neurological dysfunctions, and mobility. The practice also provides spinal decompression work, which takes pressure off of the nerves that run along the spine. One of the reasons that Mathieu became a chiropractor was his own...
First Friday Art Walks have been reoccurring in Niwot for 12 years to help support local artists and businesses. The Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) along with Osmosis Art and Architecture are major sponsors of the event, which is set to take place again on Friday, July 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Niwot's business district. Visitors can stroll around town and meet artists while viewing the local art scene in Niwot, often enjoying live music flowing through the streets. First Friday A...
The main hall of Niwot Community Hall, the home of Left Hand Grange No. 9, is all alight with beautiful new features: suspended light fixtures on the ceiling and sconces on the walls. More improvements are in the works for the main hall. In the next month, the mirrored wall and curtains will be removed and that section will be repaired and painted, and wainscoting will be installed to match the rest of the room. Thanks to the time, effort, and generosity of Niwot Business Association...
The Niwot Jazz Festival, held on June 22 in Cottonwood Square, once again brought a symphony of sounds and community spirit to the Niwot community. As the third iteration of this beloved event, the festival showcased a remarkable lineup of talented musicians, drawing in jazz enthusiasts from as near as local areas and as far away as North Carolina. With an estimated 300 to 400 attendees, the festival reaffirmed its place as a cornerstone of Niwot's cultural calendar. The festival kicked off with...
Dancing Under the Stars is back and ready to light up the night on Friday, June 28. The festive tradition, now its fifth year in Niwot, promises an enchanting evening of salsa dancing under the stars in Cottonwood Square from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Originally founded by Tom Masterson in the early 1980s, the event "started at the University of Colorado's Memorial Center and was very popular," said Masterson. "We had over 100 people dancing with us, and it has always been a completely free program,...
In the wake of 1914 House’s announcement that it will close as of July 7, 2024, Tony Santelli, a respected business professional and former president of the Niwot Business Association, has voiced his concerns about Boulder County's Minimum Wage Ordinance 2023-4. Santelli, who is a former site manager of IBM’s Boulder facility and a former owner of the Niwot Tavern, fears that this ordinance, if not addressed, could lead to significant financial strain on small businesses in Niwot and other areas of unincorporated Boulder County. Niwot's cur...
The June meeting of the Niwot Business Association (NBA) featured Niwot resident Amy Scanes Wolfe, describing her efforts to create a suburban homestead through regenerative agricultural design. She described a small farming operation in Niwot on about an acre of land that is grounded in regenerative agriculture, with volunteers raising crops and farm animals with minimal resources from outside the community. She said, "That's what has stood out to me is how people are craving that genuine...
The Niwot Jazz Festival is bringing Niwot its third year of melodious magic. Founded by Gene Hayworth and Keith Walters in conjunction with the Niwot Cultural Arts Association in 2021, this festival has quickly become a beloved tradition in Niwot. With over 800 visitors in past years from all over Colorado, the 2024 Niwot Jazz Festival, set for Saturday, June 22, in Cottonwood Square, promises to be the place to be. From 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Cottonwood Square will transform into a jazz...
With an uncertain, unpredictable forecast leading up to Lobsterfest on Saturday, June 8, the weather cooperated and good times were had by all at this year's event at Whistle Stop Park in Niwot. Deb Fowler, one of three head organizers of the event from the Niwot Business Association (NBA) along with Mary Coonce and Linda Klueber, reported 140 tickets sold for this year. "[Lobsterfest] is a fun, signature event for Niwot to kick off the summer," Fowler said. "It's a great opportunity to build...
An open house was held Friday, June 7, for DRF Real Estate in partnership with Slifer Smith & Frampton at their 2nd Avenue offices in Niwot. The open house was held to celebrate the switching of office spaces between the two real-estate office locations, and to commemorate their continued partnership. Deborah Fowler has been a real estate agent in the Niwot area, with offices located in the back office space of the Niwot Emporium building at 136 Second Avenue for the past eight years. In that...
As Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Joe Brown closed out Niwot High School's inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony, the echoes of applause reverberated through the auditorium, leaving a lasting impression on attendees. The five inductees – Tiny Koehler, Sue Prahl, Art and Debbi Stapp, Terri Ward, and Biff Warren– accepted the honor with grace, each telling stories the audience will not soon forget. On June 2, students, teachers, family, and friends gathered to recognize excellence. Dir...
The First Friday Art Walks start again next week with the opening on June 7, taking place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and hosted by Osmosis Gallery, helps local businesses associated with the arts and many local artists display their work. It also corresponds with the last day that the artists in the Boulder County Plein Air Festival challenge can complete their work. "It lets people know who we are, what we do and to attract customers, not...
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,...
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...
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...
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... Full story
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...
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...
