All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Janet Gates' wide range of volunteer efforts benefiting the Niwot, Gunbarrel, and surrounding communities have earned her the December Left Hand Laurel. Gates grew up in Gunbarrel, graduated from Niwot High School in 1984, moved out of state, then returned 13 years ago as a single mother with two small children. Immediately in need of a path to support herself and her family, her father suggested that she might start by cleaning people's homes. That led her to start her current business,...
The restaurants of Niwot have always played a vital role in the town's culture. From small businesses to the people who own them, every restaurant has its own unique personality that makes it stand out from the rest. La Musette, a farm-to-table food truck located next to The Wheel House, is one of Niwot's restaurant staples. Popular among locals, bikers, and tourists, the restaurant attracts people of all kinds. One common denominator among everyone who eats there is that they always want to...
The Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dealing with the same issues that the journalism industry, particularly local journalism, is grappling with across the country. This article is the third in a series of reports on the current journalism business climate, the history and contributions of the Courier, why local journalism remains an important asset in community-building, and ways in which its business model can be strengthened. The Left Hand Valley...
Mary Coonce is a cherished figure in Niwot widely known for her role as co-owner of Porchfront Homes, which has been involved in many community projects, and her own extensive community involvement. For her volunteer efforts in the community, Coonce is the November Left Hand Laurel recipient. Coonce's dedication to Niwot includes service as the Niwot Business Association (NBA) treasurer for seven of the 11 years she has been a member. She also serves as the treasurer for the Local Improvement...
As I reflect on the last 10 years as a dentist here in Niwot, I come back to my favorite and most gratifying detail - being a part of the community. The relationships that have been cultivated out of a shadow of a common phrase, “I’m scared of the dentist,” have made me feel that this life and the connections to our community are just as important as the technical skill of my career. Whether at Rock & Rails, our kids’ Niwot flag football game, or a Saturday morning coffee hello, I feel grateful for our small-town, big-hearted communi...
The International Blues Challenge (IBC), the world's largest and most prestigious blues music competition, will once again bring together hundreds of talented musicians from around the globe. Hosted on the iconic Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, the competition will run from Jan. 7 to 11, 2025. Among those set to compete is Niwot resident Joe Pacheco, bassist and backup vocalist of the blues band George Street and the Drive, who, along with his bandmates, earned the chance to perform in...
Susan Odiseos has been an active volunteer in the Niwot community since she moved here in December 2018, including organizing food drives, participating with the Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms, working at Rock & Rails, and being an active member of the Niwot Community Connection (NCC). Odiseos has had a lifetime of community involvement that has changed lives. Odiseos originally lived in Connecticut, and assisted several charity and volunteer organizations there before she moved to Santa Fe around...
As I began to reflect on the last 10 years as a dentist here in Niwot, I kept coming back to my favorite and most gratifying detail - being a part of the community. The relationships that have been cultivated out of a shadow of a common phrase, “I’m scared of the dentist,” have made me feel that this life and the connections to our community are just as important as the technical skill of my career. Whether at Rock & Rails, our kids’ Niwot flag football games, or a Saturday morning coffee hello, I feel the need to express my sincere gratitu...
The Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) received a $25,000 grant from the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Foundation last week to support the restoration and installation of three iconic tree carvings by the late artist Eddie Running Wolf. The grant was applied for at the suggestion of Brent Wheeler, Boulder County's liaison for the project. "Brent had mentioned the grant opportunity when we met with County Commissioner Marta Loachamin and Walt Pourier of the Lakota tribe, who was a good...
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...
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...
On August 29, Hazel Miller & the Collective, along with Nalani Clisset (stage name Nalani) performed the final show of the 2024 Rock & Rails season at Whistle Stop Park. As Nalani was setting up for her opening set, headliner Hazel Miller was standing by the performance gazebo greeting arriving concertgoers like old friends. Energized and radiating joy, Miller promised them that they "were in for a great evening and plenty of dancing." Miller's band members were fired up for their set. Lead...
Hazel Miller and The Collective will wrap up the 2024 Rock and Rails (R&R) series this Thursday evening, Aug. 29, at Whistle Stop Park. Inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2023, Miller and her band will perform their mix of jazz, blues, soul and popular music. Miller is one of the most sought-after performers in Colorado and has also performed elsewhere in North America, as well as in Europe, the Far East, Middle East and Central America. R&R booking manager Satir DeMarco said that...
After a few drops of rain fell early at the Rock & Rails concert Aug. 22, the evening cooled off and the crowd came out to hear hometown girl Nalani Clisset and her band, The Nalani Effect, entertain the crowd with a mix of blues, funk and soul standards. Joined by Regi Wooten on guitar and Adam Wooten on drums, from the renowned Wooten Brothers, Nalani, her stage name, poured out her heart and soul on vocals while playing bass. Tunes included Chaka Khan's "Tell Me Something Good" as well as a...
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"...
While there may be only a couple of Rock & Rails concerts left this season, there is an unlimited amount of friendliness that comes from its volunteers. This week's Familiar Face behind the Rock & Rails bar on Thursdays is Kristin Alger. Alger first got involved with Rock & Rails seven years ago. Bill and Jill Whitener used to manage the site at Whistle Stop Park and because Alger and the Whiteners were friends, she would help with pre-concert set-up during the first year. She soon got promoted...
Rock & Rail's penultimate summer concert welcomes back Niwot native Nalani DeMarco Clisset and her band, The Nalani Effect. Nalani, a bassist and vocalist, is a Niwot High School graduate and has deep roots in the Niwot community. "Rock & Rails is my home," Nalani said. "I remember when they built the gazebo and feeling that it was an anchor point for a community space. I just stood up on it, with my arms wide open, and wondered what the space would be like with the crowd, vendors, and...
Rock & Rails drew a large crowd on Aug.15 to see the opening act, Charted Territory, followed by the headliner, FACE Vocal Band. "FACE always draws a large crowd, including many fans from out of town," said Biff Warren, co-manager of Rock & Rails. "Many came early to set up chairs near the stage, and were treated to music from Charted Territory, the opening band, which included Mike Pierce and Katie Warren, who performed earlier this summer at Rock & Rails with the Niwot Community Semi-Marching...
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...
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...
With only three concerts left after Aug. 8, Rock & Rails fans were determined to attend Thursday's concert despite the weather. A chilly and rainy day set the stage for the evening, with mist and cool temperatures persisting throughout the entire concert, limiting the crowd size. The evening kicked off with Gunbarrel resident and country music artist Dean Himes. A 2022 inductee into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, Himes brought a mix of heartfelt originals as well as well-loved covers to the...
Osmosis Gallery, a local art gallery at 290 2nd Avenue in Niwot, was born in an architectural firm known as Osmosis Architecture, which has been around for thirty years, the last 20 years in the Niwot location. The current location, a renovated and remodeled former church building which had been converted to residential use before Postle acquired it in 2004, houses both the architectural firm and the art gallery. "The architecture firm has been around since 1994 and we were in this location in...
Rock & Rails summer concerts continue on Thursday, Aug. 8, with the opening act starting at 5 p.m. and the headliner lighting up the stage at 6:30 p.m. Starting the night off right, Gunbarrel resident and country music artist Dean Himes will play a set of original songs with relatable and beautiful lyrics written by Himes. As a 2022 inductee into The Colorado County Music Hall of Fame, Himes regularly wows his crowds, whether they be fans or first-time listeners. Headlining this week will be My...
On Thursday, Aug. 1, Rock & Rails continued its summer concert series with two standout performances that delighted the crowd. The evening began with Strangebyrds, a folk/rock and Americana duo of Cari Minor and Ray Smith. With six award-winning releases under their belt, they kicked off the hot evening with a captivating mix of music. Their set consisted of covers and originals from all seven of their albums, including their self-proclaimed theme song "Strangebyrds," which sounds vaguely...
Rock & Rails summer concerts continue on Thursday, Aug. 1, with the opening act starting at 5 p.m. and the headliner lighting up the stage at 6:30 p.m. This week Strangebyrds will be starting off the night right with folk/rock and Americana style music. With six award-winning releases, they're sure to wow the crowd. Band members Cari Minor and Ray Smith have worked together since 2011 with their first release, the self-titled "Strangebyrds." They have since produced and released six more excelle...
On a hazy Thursday evening, Ain't No Mountain High Enough with Dzirae Gold took the stage at Whistle Stop Park for an unforgettable Rock & Rails performance. The July 25 night kicked off with Wendy Woo, an inductee into Westword Magazine's Hall of Fame and a five-time "Singer/Songwriter of the Year" Westword Magazine award winner. Highlights from her set included heartfelt renditions of "Closer to Fine" by the Indigo Girls, "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics, and "Son of a Preacher Man" by Dusty...
Niwot loves its live music. Events and venues such as Rock & Rails, The House Blend Band, Dancing Under the Stars, and The Wheel House make Niwot a music destination. Although most of Niwot's live music and events are planned ahead and publicized on business websites and social media, now and then a spontaneous concert pops up. One such impromptu event occurred at The Wheel House on Friday, July 19, with less than 24 hours planning. The Heart Collectors, an Australian-based band from New South...
Kaiya Brown has been a member of the Niwot community for several years, during which she has become a familiar face and volunteer at events around Niwot. For her volunteer efforts throughout Niwot, Brown is the July 2024 recipient of the Left Hand Valley Courier's Left Hand Laurel. Brown has been volunteering as a Gargoyle at the local summer concert series Rock & Rails for three years, helping keep the event "zero-waste." As a middle schooler, Brown joined her school's "ECO Club." She would...
Rock & Rails summer concerts continue on Thursday, July 25, with the opening act starting at 5 p.m. and the headliner lighting up the stage at 6:30 p.m. The Wendy Woo Band returns to Rock & Rails to start the night off with an energetic and enjoyable performance. The Wendy Woo Band is a self-described "poly-ethnic, power pop, song-rock, 6-piece band with sweet vocal harmonies and shuddering grooves." Wendy Woo is an inductee into the Westword Hall of Fame as a result of being named...
There are so many familiar faces around Niwot, especially for weekly regulars who attend Rock & Rails. Some faces are most familiar when they belong to those who have spent a majority of their life in Niwot and are continuously involved in the community. Colleen Beebe is one such familiar face. Beebe moved to Colorado in 1975 after her father, who annually visited this beautiful state to ski, fulfilled a dream of living here. Unfortunately, he passed away only 16 months after the family moved...
On July 18, Rock & Rails continued its summer concert series with performances that showcased seasoned talent. The evening kicked off with Mark Oblinger, a five-time Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated composer/producer. Oblinger, accompanied by Linda Lawson, invited e-Town's Christian Teele, Eric Moon, and the night's headliner, Chris Daniels on stage with him. They treated the crowd to a unique blend of original music as concertgoers walked in, set down their fold-up chairs, and grabbed food and...
Rock & Rails summer concerts continue on Thursday, July 18, with the opening act starting at 5 p.m. and the headliner lighting up the stage at 6:30 p.m. This week's opener, Mark Oblinger, a five-time Emmy winning and Grammy nominated composer/producer, will be treating the crowd to his unique blend of original music with tones of folk and pop. His vocal-forward arrangements are an inspiring and interesting way to start the night. Oblinger is joined on tour by Linda Lawson, Christian Teele,...
With one of Niwot's favorite summer concert series, Rock & Rails, in full swing, regular concert goers are beginning to recognize some regular volunteers behind the bar at the alcohol building known as The Depot. Many of these volunteers have been returning over the years and have become Familiar Faces to the Niwot community. Lori Shrader has been volunteering at Rock & Rails for the past nine years. Always serving beverages with a smile and having fun with her fellow volunteers behind the bar,...
On a blistering Thursday evening, The Long Run, Colorado's Eagles tribute band, returned to Whistle Stop Park for another memorable Rock & Rails performance. Despite the record-breaking heat, the night was filled with the sounds of classic rock and an enthusiastic crowd for the first concert of July. The evening kicked off with Danny Shafer, a seasoned singer-songwriter with over three decades of experience in the Colorado music scene. Sitting in the little shade he could find on the stage, Shaf...
The Long Run, Colorado's Eagles tribute band, has made its share of memories playing summer Thursday nights at Whistle Stop Park. Last year, the band's performance took place just a day after Randy Meisner, a founding member of The Eagles, passed away. Rock & Rails is the only concert on their schedule where the group plays from a gazebo. One of the things the band appreciates most about performing in Niwot is the enthusiastic crowds, ready to sing along and move, that come out to see them....
Gargoyles are hard-working students, incredible team players, great friends, and an integral piece of the Niwot community over the summer at Lobsterfest and Rock & Rails. They assist in keeping events at Whistle Stop Park zero-waste. The Courier is spotlighting some of these friendly, essential volunteers. Francesca Fowler has been volunteering as a Gargoyle for three years. She is an active member of the Niwot community. Through volunteering around town to being a part of the Scout Troop 161, Fowler has been a constant figure in the Niwot...
Ron Ivory and his band, One on One, kept everyone dancing and singing along to a never-ending stream of Motown hits, from The Temptations, to Diana Ross, to The Four Tops. One on One has become a staple of the Thursday night concert series, with a good crowd attending the event, in spite of gale-force winds. In spite of a threat of rain, which spared the Niwot area June 27, the concert went on uninterrupted. Jack Hadley opened for One on One, with original blues songs mixed with familiar covers...
Gargoyles are hard-working students, incredible team players, great friends, and an integral piece of the Niwot community over the summer at events such as Lobsterfest and Rock & Rails. They assist in keeping events at Whistle Stop Park zero-waste. The Courier is spotlighting some of these friendly, essential volunteers. Sam Popma has volunteered with the Gargoyles for three years. Popma is an incoming junior at Niwot High School and is an active member of the Niwot community. Popma is known to...
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...
Merrick Blondeau has been a member of the Niwot Community for all 18 years of his life. Over the years he has become a familiar attendee and volunteer at events around the town. For his volunteer efforts over the years throughout Niwot, Blondeau is the June 2024 recipient of the Left Hand Valley Courier's Left Hand Laurel. Blondeau recently graduated from Niwot High School with the class of 2024. From the NHS drumline to choir and musical theater, to various clubs, Blondeau has been involved in...
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...
Rock & Rails summer concerts continue on Thursday, June 27, with the opening act starting at 5 p.m. and the headliner lighting up the stage at 6:30 p.m. This week, opener Jack Hadley, a blues guitarist and vocalist, will start off the night with original compositions as well as familiar blues tunes. Hadley is a well-versed and experienced musician who has spent many years refining and discovering his skills as a performer. His most recent project was released in April, entitled, "Jack Hadley -...
It's never good when rain and hail blow through an outdoor concert venue an hour before the event is scheduled. That's what happened in advance of the Rock & Rails program on June 20, 2024. However, in typical Colorado fashion, the skies cleared quickly and fortunately the weather remained delightful throughout the evening. The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band kicked off the event with selections consistent with the evening's country and Southern rock theme. A large group of 28...
The crowd at last Thursday's Rock & Rails concert, June 13, received an unexpected treat when the Rotary Club of Niwot presented Pat Murphy with the Eli Buzas Community Service Award for 2024 on stage. Rotary president Wick Rowland made the presentation, with Awards Committee Chair Kamla Chopra during a break in the performance by the Alcapones. Murphy and her husband Larry were at the concert and Murphy took the stage to thank the Rotary. Rowland said, "The award is the Niwot club's highest rec...
Get ready to dance and sing along with headliners CW and Twenty Hands High on June 20 for their third consecutive year performing at Rock & Rails. The band performs a wide range of country and Southern rock favorites and a growing number of their own popular creations. In August 2023, the band was honored as Entertainer of the Year by the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame. Frontman CW Wooten said that, although they have a large repertoire of two-step selections, they tend to "stay more...
Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) is without a doubt a great program for youth in our country to learn survival skills, earn merit badges, and gain leadership experiences. However, it could be very difficult to succeed in scouting without support from parental figures along the way. Parents are often the ones who help drive them to and from camps, provide encouragement and guidance, and even supply some, if not all, equipment for the scouts. Scouts develop bonds with each other...
The Alcapones brought a mix of horns, vocal harmonies and rock to Rock & Rails last Thursday, June 13. The band performed to a generous crowd on a hot summer night in Niwot. Tim Ostdiek and Jenny opened the evening with an hour of folk rock tunes, including familiar songs as well as originals by Ostdiek, who has produced several CD's including his latest, titled "The Lost Days." Ostdiek and his partner, Jenny Balagna, are based out of Longmont, and have been entertaining crowds at Rock & Rails...
After the opening night concert was cut short due to a thunderstorm, concertgoers were eager to get back on the dance floor at week two of Niwot's Rock & Rails summer concert series at Whistle Stop Park. The event featured a summery night of fantastic music, dancing, and community energy from 5 to 9 p.m. The evening began with The George Street Duo, which took the stage from 5 to 6 p.m. The talented pair, featuring lead singer George Street on guitar and Niwot resident Joe Pacheco on bass, capti...
