All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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He was a lawyer in a different life. She worked in the food safety industry. That was before February 24, 2022, in Ukraine. Today, he works for a large retail outlet in Longmont. She is also employed. They live in a garden-level apartment in Niwot's Old Town area. Their surviving extended family members also live in the United States. They live in fear of being deported, with nowhere to go. Though they entered the U.S. legally as refugees, the uncertainty of their status resulting from the...
Boulder County coffee shops and markets are raising prices as global coffee shortages drive costs to record highs. The Old Oak Coffeehouse in Niwot recently increased prices, adding about 50 cents to basic drinks such as drip coffee, espresso, and americanos. "This is a very sad, frustrating and frightening time for us," said Old Oak owners Michael Tomich and Patty Machen, who opened their shop at 136 Second Avenue in 2017. Their supplier, Boulder-based Silver Canyon Coffee, recently raised...
Niwot High School is holding its Fourth Annual Wish Week from Feb. 3 through Feb. 8. NHS has partnered with Make A Wish Colorado to help bring the week to life for one of its amazing Wish Kids. Donations can be made at Niwot Wish Week 2025 Donations or visit https://wish.org/colorado. Schools across the U.S. host Wish Weeks in which students and community members are invited to unite around a child with a critical illness and raise funds for the Make-A-Wish organization. The nonprofit strives...
The holiday season is fast approaching, and with it comes the much-anticipated Niwot Holiday Market. The cherished tradition will take place over two Saturdays, Dec. 7 and Dec 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the heart of the Niwot business district. Centered along Second Avenue and Cottonwood Square, the market is a festive celebration of the season, featuring live music, unique shopping, delicious treats, and activities for the whole family. Sponsored by the Niwot Business Association with...
The Niwot Trot, a fundraising race for Niwot Elementary School, was a huge success on Sunday, Oct. 6, raising over $10,000 for the school. "We had a record number of over 700 participants, surpassing our numbers by 100 racers," organizer Aimee Morin said. "It was a perfectly cool, sunny morning and everyone brought happy smiles and great energy, making it a memorable and successful event for our community." The event sent runners of all ages through a new route through the streets of Niwot,...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Patti Ashley, PhD, LPC, has recently returned to Niwot, and reopened her counseling office after a short time out of state. Ashley is a psychotherapist, who now has an office in the space formerly occupied by the Niwot Veterinary Clinic at 6964 N. 79th Street, Suite 4, in Cottonwood Square. Ashley's offices, known as Authenticity Architects, is a counseling firm that works with other companies working toward community mental health. Ashley formerly had a counseling office in the building behind...
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...
Niwot's fourth annual Around the World Day and the Niwot community's demeanor were not dampened due to a little rain. While the turnout was limited at Around the World Day, spirits were high as Niwot, like EPCOT in Orlando, engaged in cultural activities, food, beverage, and music. WiNot Coffee showcased Colombia with authentic Colombian coffee, pastries, and decorations. Inkberry Books brought China to Niwot with two types of tea, fortune cookies, decorations, and music. Niwot Market, with a...
A new genre book was launched on Friday night, April 12, at the Winot Cafe in Niwot as Dr. William A. Liggett's new climate fiction thriller, "Panic Peak," was presented to an enthusiastic audience. At start time there were only a few open chairs, which soon were filled with many standing in the back of the room for the event. Over thirty people attended the presentation. Liggett first spoke about his story as an 18-year old who spent a summer at the Hoh River area in Washington state and Mount...
Bill Liggett, a native Coloradan and recent newcomer to the Niwot community, is presenting his new book, "Panic Peak," on Friday, April 12 in conjunction with Inkberry Books. "Panic Peak" investigates interesting potential geoengineering solutions in the format of a fictional thriller. The book launch and signing will be held at Winot Cafe at 7 p.m. The venue for the presentation was changed from Una Vida to Winot Coffee. Reservations can be made online. Dr. Liggett is something of a...
Fortitude and resilience are two words that perfectly describe Sarah Magee. The office manager of a tax accounting firm with clients across the United States, Magee, the mother of two young men, is also owner of The Little Shop Niwot in Cottonwood Square. The Little Shop features lovely local art, gifts and children's toys and books, and sits next to Winot Coffee Company. Born in Denver and now living in Erie, Magee said, "I moved all around as a kid and went to 15 different schools. My past is...
Although Pawxatawney Phil has determined spring is right around the corner, based on last weekend's storm, winter seems determined to hang around. One upcoming event might offer some relief: Let's Wine About Winter in Niwot. Sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, the annual Let's Wine About Winter event is planned for Saturday, Feb. 24 to welcome community members in from the cold with wine, art, food and hospitality. Kristin Alger, who is co-chair of the event with Anne Postle,...
Jeff Server says he is a person who notices and appreciates details. He has applied these talents as a videographer and landscape photographer, as a gas industry accountant and as an active volunteer at Niwot events. He and his wife Dawn Reeb Server have lived at Meadow Lake Farm off of N. 79th Street for six years. Server, the second of four boys, grew up in Ames, Iowa. When he was 14 he joined a summer field crew of about 100 to 150 young men. They detasseled the corn in preparation for...
Voting is open for the 2023 Window Decorating Competition sponsored by the Niwot Business Association. Many participating Niwot businesses have decorated their windows for the holidays, adding to a festive holiday shopping experience. You can vote for your favorite festive window online through this form, or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zib9XbYN5L1gWzCQaPrLUbUGNHzYWPe1vNUFzB-rulA/viewform?edit_requested=true. Turn in your ballot online for a chance to win a prize. Participating businesses include: •2nd Nature Hair Lounge •Belle Ter...
Catherine McHale is the recipient of the Left Hand Valley Courier’s Left Hand Laurel for her volunteer work in Niwot, most notably establishing the popular event, “Dancing Under the Stars.” McHale owns Power & Purpose Marketing in Niwot, and has been a member of the Niwot community for about 13 years. She was Niwot’s Economic Development Director for a number of years, leading efforts to fill Niwot’s commercial spaces. She started getting involved in the community as a business owner. “After a...
Saturday Sept. 23 brought the return of Niwot's annual "Out & About," a day to celebrate the small businesses of Niwot. Sponsored by the Niwot Business Association (NBA), this annual event brings out tents and stands featuring Niwot businesses and live music along Second Avenue and in Cottonwood Square. Out & About was started last year as a way to showcase the various goods and gifts from businesses in Niwot, and to bring support and awareness for Niwot's charming business community....
As we transition into autumn, one of the most popular events in Niwot is coming to a close – the weekly "Dancing Under the Stars" event. A free dance lesson of varying genres followed by a public dance takes place every Friday during the warm summer evenings from June to the end of September. Originally scheduled to end Sept. 22, a "rain date" has extended the season through Sept. 29 with contra dance. Dancing Under the Stars started out in Boulder at the University of Colorado, but when C...
The Niwot community turned out to honor the life and memory of Bert Steele Saturday, Aug. 26, in Cottonwood Square shopping center. What was originally planned to be a "thank you" to the Niwot community for supporting local retail businesses, and helping the merchants survive the pandemic shutdown, morphed into a tribute to the late Bert Steele, who brought The Niwot Market to life over 20 years ago. Stacy Szydiek, co-owner of The Niwot Tavern, spearheaded the effort to put the afternoon and eve...
At the start of Niwot's Flower Fest last Saturday, Aug. 5, a huge line trailed outside Fly Away Home Decor, going all the way to the gas station in Cottonwood Square at the end of the block. Some people arrived an hour before 10 a.m., the official start of the Flower Fest, in order to receive one of the free 75 baskets for the Flower Walk. "There were around two hundred people. We had to turn people away." said Sarah Cioni, owner of Belle Terre Floral, a florist shop specializing in bridal...
Grab your leashes and your best (four-legged) friend for the inaugural Pampered Pooch event in Niwot on Saturday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local businesses and fellow dog-lovers will have give-aways and canine-themed fun for your pet, including Good Boy Dog Beer, snuffle balls, pet food samples, pup-acinos, dog pool cooling area, stylish bandanas, Barkuterie! (Charcuterie for dogs) and other dog-friendly pooch-tivities and swag. You can pick up a map from one of Niwot's local businesses to follow the trail to pup fun and prizes. Four-foot...
Each month brings a fresh round of paintings to Winot Coffee Company and The Old Oak Coffeehouse in Niwot. March was no exception. Both venues have showcased area artists on their walls for the month, with the work of each artist available for sale. Winot featured Megan Gael McCarthy, a member of the Longmont Artists' Guild, Boulder Art Association, and Art Students League of Denver. McCarthy's work recreates emotion of a time and place. It also focuses on paint textures and the physical...
The current state of health in the United States looks dire. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) statistics state, "Six in ten Americans live with at least one chronic disease... Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in America, and they are also a leading driver of healthcare costs." In addition, the average lifespan of Americans is declining. In 2022, The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reported the life expectancy at birth at its lowes...
Anyone looking to view beautiful nature artwork should be sure to visit The Old Oak Coffeehouse and Winot Coffee Company. Although there are only a few days left in the month, you will not want to miss the January art exhibits on display. The Old Oak Coffee House features work by its baker, Natalie Brey, whose paintings of sunflowers, mountains and other natural views are elegant and beautiful. Created using oil and cold wax on canvas as well as other mediums, the work on display includes a...
It's morning – the second Thursday in December – and about 50 Niwotians who are over 55 are drinking coffee, eating snacks, listening to two local musicians play their tunes, socializing and – later, playing trivia, at the Left Hand Grange. We're at the monthly meeting of the Niwot Community Connection. It really seems like a great way to connect as well as to build local community. Besides the monthly meet-ups – often with a guest speaker – at the Grange Hall, the group has organized smaller s...
With 16 Niwot businesses participating, the Niwot Business Association's inaugural Tannenbaum Charity Trail silent auction raised almost $2,000 for various charities. Each participating business decorated a miniature Christmas tree, and many included gift certificates to their business. The trees were displayed at Niwot Market from Dec. 3 to Dec. 10. A tree decorated and donated by Niwot Eye Care & Vision was the top fundraiser, with a winning bid of $300 to benefit the Humane Society. Belle...
It's not too late to vote for your favorite Niwot holiday window. The annual window decorating contest deadline has been extended to Sunday, Dec. 11, to make sure everybody has time to admire all of the holiday-themed decor. If you haven't voted yet, just stop by one of the participating businesses and pick up your ballot. Make your way around town to see all the entries and have your ballot stamped by at least six businesses, then pick your favorite. Turn your ballot in to any of the...
Niwot is filled with art for the holidays. This past Saturday, Open Studios Pop! Gallery at the former Niwot Rental and Feed store on 2nd Avenue was open to the public in a holiday showing. The space showcased between 20 and 30 artists in a variety of mediums, and artists with work on display are available, in turns, to speak to gallery visitors. Megan Morgan and Terri Ficken were two of the artists available for the weekend shift. Morgan showcased her work as a variety of subjects portrayed on...
Let the Holiday Fun Begin! Niwot’s Holiday Magic Celebration is kicking off with the 22nd Annual Enchanted Evening, followed by the coveted Holiday Parade, Small Business Saturday and two weekends of Holiday Markets and events around town. The details: Enchanted Evening It all began over 20 years ago when the town gathered around the evening following Thanksgiving to light the holiday tree and support our local shops by jump starting the holiday buying. Sarah Cioni, one of the originators of the event, says this year is no different. The tree l...
This year, The Courier asked local residents and visitors to share what they are thankful for. Below are their responses; each of them notable in their own way. Equally wonderful was the process of gathering responses. Most of the research occurred in the town's coffee shops and at first, getting responses was slow and awkward. But the tipping point was when some customers overheard others answering and asked to join the conversation. Ultimately, responses and ensuing conversation were full of...
November has brought new art to Winot Coffee Company in Cottonwood Square and The Old Oak Coffeehouse on 2nd Avenue. Winot Coffee Company is featuring art from Jacque Michelle, a local artist and art educator who specializes in colorful, expressive acrylic-based work. Her pieces typically depict lush landscapes and bright, floral arrangements, and she teaches her technique to others from her Boulder studio. She also takes students on trips to Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu, New Mexico, and this...
All nine members of the Niwot Local Improvement District advisory committee (LID) were present for the Nov. 1 meeting at the Niwot Inn. Treasurer Bruce Rabeler reported that revenues continue to climb as collections through August are up over $26,000 from a year ago. He noted that with an approval of the loan funding request on the agenda, the LID would have approved over $222,000 in expenditures for 2022. The 2022 LID budget is only $170,000, but Rabeler reminded the committee that the budget is set at 80% of collections from two years ago....
People who looked forward to Friday evenings on the makeshift dance floor in Cottonwood Square will be looking for something else to do until next June. "The final Dancing Under the Stars (DUTS) event for 2022 saw record numbers," Catherine McHale said, referring to the Sept. 23 closing night. McHale is the organizer of DUTS and the director and owner of Power & Purpose Marketing. She is also Niwot's Economic Development Director and is focused on improving economic development and marketing...
Born in Kansas, educated at an Ivy League college in Massachusetts and having worked as a management consultant for 20 years at the Watergate Building in Washington, D.C., Leigh Suskin – owner of Farmers Insurance Agency in Cottonwood Square – is truly a Renaissance woman. Whether serving root beer floats at Niwot's "National Night Out" celebrating first responders, or studying for her Ph.D. in East/West psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, or raising her...
Abo's Pizza and nearby businesses are still recovering from the Aug. 6 fire that started in the early hours at Abo's. Fire investigator Doug Saba explained that fire personnel forced entry into Abo's Pizza to confirm the building did not have any victims. Thankfully, due to Mary Jo Wysocki's quick call to 911 upon arriving to open Winot Coffee on Aug.10th at 5:30 a.m., the damage to area businesses wasn't worse. As of press time, no official cause has been determined, and the fire investigation...
Mary Jo Wysocki, Manager of Winot Coffee in Cottonwood Square, just happened to arrive early to work at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Aug. 6. She was opening the shop and was about to water the patio plants when she looked up to see smoke billowing from the recently mural-adorned external wall at Abo's Pizza. "It was just my intuition that told me to get in early. I knew I was the only one seeing the smoke and it was up to me to call 911 right away," she said. "I'd headed out of Winot late the...
Jazz fans, put on your fedora, because the Niwot Jazz Festival is happening on Saturday, June 25, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Janis Siegel, Grammy award-winner and band member of the Manhattan Transfer, is the featured performer of the day. All the entertainment will take place at Cottonwood Square. Six other individual artists and bands will be performing: Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra from 3-4:15 p.m.; Andres Orco (solo guitar) from 4:15-4:45 p.m.; Three Tenors with Rich Chiaraluce, Pete Lewis, and...
Niwot's historic connection to Native Americans will take on a new look with the installation of four murals in Cottonwood Square shopping center. The Niwot Local Improvement District advisory committee recommended approval of a funding request from the owners of Cottonwood Square and the Jerry Sinor Building that provides for the LID to cover 75% of the $12,900 cost of the murals. The request was approved June 7 by LID members Eric Bergeson, Mary Coonce, Jeff Knight and Scott Firle. The...
Niwot's "Around the World Day", on Saturday, May 14, integrated dozens of cultures at this special event, back for its second year after a Covid-inspired debut in 2021. Twenty-three countries were represented by 32 local businesses through live music, specialty food and drinks, crafts, and costumes. Pedestrians were charmed by the Vikings' weapons display in "Scandinavia" on Second Avenue; bands and solo artists performing with African drums, celtic instruments, accordions, Spanish guitars, and...
As of Feb. 18, Boulder County Public Health's two public health orders requiring masks in public indoor spaces expired. For the first time in months, no one was forced to wear face coverings inside, although they could if they wanted to. Some do. A careful eye in retail spaces around town indicates this. Many customers waiting in line for coffee in Cottonwood Square's Winot Coffee Company one morning were maskless on one recent morning. At one point, a single masked individual came in. "I'm...
On Feb. 26, the Italian restaurant Ciminini's (300 2nd Ave.) hosted a fundraising event for the Marshall Fire victims. Customers paid $25 per ticket to enjoy a lovely Saturday morning, while listening to a live cello performance. All food and drinks came with the ticket, which included the choice of pancakes, French toast, cottage cheese parfait with avocado toast, scrambled eggs, sausages and hams, a pastry basket, specialty coffee, and of course, hot cocoa. A silent auction was held at the...
