All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Ok. It's graduation time. Whether you are graduating yourself or you have a child, grandchild or other family member or friend who is graduating about now, we all know what a big step that is. The word "commencement" means both an end as well as a beginning. It's the celebration of the end of one of life's many chapters and the beginning of another. But don't let me be your commencement speaker. Heck, we could have the wisdom of Bill Gates, Oprah, Tim Cook, Maria Shriver, Arnold Schwarzenegger...
Despite being Colorado's most successful Class 4A girls track and field program over the past decade, Niwot High School had remarkably never produced a state title winner in shot put until May 19, 2023, when Jade West staked her claim to history. West's heave of 40 feet, 8.25 inches traveled a full 29 inches further than what the second-place thrower produced at the 4A state championships in Lakewood. In fact, observers reported that West had another throw that reached 42 feet at state, but it...
OK. Have you ever taken a trip with your adult siblings? I mean no spouses, no children. Just you guys? I recently took a trip to Lake Powell with five siblings and five other old friends, and two teenagers. Can we just talk about the logistics of that for a minute? Logistics for family events, whether reunions, birthdays, weddings or just a vacation can be daunting. But let's just focus on 12 people from various parts of the nation converging on a barren southwestern portion of our country...
Over the next few months, the former feed store on 2nd Avenue will continue its reimagined purpose as a home for art and culture in Niwot. "At this time, the climate isn't good to start building any kind of development for that lot, so we decided to do a minimal fix up and get the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) involved and create something that would encourage people to come downtown," said John Fischer, who co-owns the building with his wife Xan. "Until the climate for redevelopment...
Before Joshua Ibarra-Trujillo became a musician, he was not a big music fan. "I just listened to it and didn't think much of it," Ibarra-Trujillo confessed. But in December 2019 the romantic comedy film "Como Caido del Cielo" was released, and that film became his inspiration to perform music. Omar Chaparro stars in the movie as a Mexican singer named Pedro Infante, who is sent back to Earth to earn his place in heaven. The actor became Ibarra-Trujillo's favorite performer. From there, the...
On Thursday, May 4, in the Class 4A Region 5 tournament held at Niwot High School, several Niwot players qualified for the individual 4A state tournament, which is set to begin in Pueblo on Thursday, May 11. “All of the Niwot girls played exceptionally well,” said Niwot Coach Aimee Hites. “They’ve worked so hard and they’re more than ready to play in the state finals next Thursday.” At No. 2 singles, Niwot freshman Sahasra Kolli battled against Silver Creek senior Liana Kelly, who was undefeated during the regular season. Kolli won the first s...
OK. Many of us enjoy a cocktail now and then. Actually, now sounds pretty good. Seriously, everyone has their first choice/go-to cocktail. You might order white wine, red wine, beer, gin and tonic, vodka soda or vodka Red Bull. Whatever. But let me tell you, the minute those words come out of your mouth, someone has just sized you up. I have found that it's not how much you drink but what you drink that gets everyone's attention. Wine? It is no longer just white or red. No, my friend, if it's...
When spotlights illuminate a theater set on opening night, the audience is usually unaware of the work that has gone into making sure that the world they see on stage provides a safe environment for the actors and technicians working the show. According to "Safety and Health in the Theater: Keeping Tragedy out of the Comedies...and Musicals...and Dramas," an article published online by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2009 (the most current data available) there were 1,190...
The Boulder County Commissioners met for an emergency meeting on Saturday, April 1, to abolish Daylight Savings Time in Boulder County. Daylight Savings Time was enacted during World War I to conserve energy and has been the law in most states in the U.S., including Colorado since that time. Commissioner Angela Silverman said, “It is time we take back our role as a governing entity and abolish antiquated laws that adversely impact our citizens and wildlife.” Sean Wilcox of the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department testified at the mee...
The Niwot Homestead Project is a three-year-old project dedicated to reimaging suburbia as an ecosystem that feeds people a complete diet. The Project held a community meeting on Sunday, March 5th at the Old Oak Coffeehouse to present the concept to the Niwot community, hear feedback and brainstorm solutions. Amy Scanes-Wolfe grew up in Niwot and attended Niwot High School. After working on a commercial vegetable farm for several years Scanes-Wolfe thought about growing food in a different way....
On Saturday, Feb. 25, The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop in downtown Niwot held its first Drag Queen Storytime, with Miss Shirley reading to children who had signed up in advance to attend. The event caused some controversy, as the Boulder County Republican Party and its newly elected chair, George Tristan, organized a protest, claiming that it was a "grooming event." But the protestors, many of whom wore masks to conceal their identity, were far outnumbered by those attending and supporting the...
Ok. We have all been invited to a party where the invitation reads, "Please bring an appetizer and wine." First, what happened to the word "hors d'oeuvre?" Is it too hard to spell? (Protip: just ask Google, I did.) Now, I can handle the wine part, but the appetizer sends me into a tizzy (yes, I said "tizzy" - a woefully underutilized but easy-to-spell word). Why? Well, we all have our go-to appetizers at home: nuts, cheese and crackers and, everyone's favorite: shrimp cocktail. But don't we...
Ok. We love our dogs. No, let me be clear, we adore our dogs. No, let me clearer. Our dogs are our best friends, our children, our partners, our comfort. They read our minds, love us unconditionally and often are incredibly funny. That said, I was walking with a friend today and she wiped off her leggings and said, "Oh my God, I am always covered in dog hair!" Ahh. There's the rub. I, too, find myself using one of those lint removal masking tape roller things all the time, trying to disguise the...
The Wandering Jellyfish children's bookstore in Niwot will host its first Drag Queen Storytime on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. Co-owner Jerilyn Patterson said the event has been so popular that it has already sold out. Those attending are urged to "Gather your glitter, gowns, tutus, and tiaras!" According to The Wandering Jellyfish website, "Miss Shirley will bring a little glitter, a little glamour, and lots of fun during drag queen storytime. There will be books about unicorns, cupcakes,...
Revised and improved architectural renderings for a two-story, commercial structure that would house Niles Dentistry were approved at a Niwot Design Review Committee meeting Feb. 8. Chairman Bruce Larsen opened the meeting, explaining that this hearing was simply to review changes to the design of the proposed building, and would not address issues such as parking. Committee members Kathy Koehler, Will Hentschel and Satir DeMarco as well as Boulder County planners were also in attendance, as...
Everything is coming together at the best time possible for Izzy Fay, the lone diver on the Niwot girls swim and dive team. In Niwot's final meet before the state championships, Fay ran away with a first-place finish at the Longs Peak League Championships on Feb. 4. Her score of 450.85 was about 85 points higher than the next-closest diver. "This is probably my best meet so far, to be honest," Fay said soon after her final dive at the Mountain View Aquatics Center in Loveland. "But my season is...
Ok. It's been a cold winter. Really cold. We all wake up to freezing cold houses, glance outside to see what snowfall occurred during the night, wondering if it will be a snow day and a treacherous drive to work. We make steaming cups of tea or coffee, check to be sure the faucet is still dripping and shuffle to the shower muttering, "It's freezing in here!" For me, first things first. Turn up the thermostat. As my family likes to remind me, "Mom, turning it up all the way doesn't get the house...
Ok, we all agree house plants are living, sometimes feeling, organisms. We all have a few and some of us have many. In fact, I have a friend who has devoted a whole room (really, the whole house) to plants after her daughter graduated from high school and abandoned her old bedroom. So now her plants not only have a southern exposure, but they also have a hydro light box thing in the bathroom, special lighting, air plants keeping them company from above and lots of desert cacti mocking their...
This winter the many strains of respiratory viruses are lingering and reoccurring. If you have kids in school they will pick them up and share them with you. Staying healthy is challenging right now but when the going gets tough, you can get well and stay well. I am a local acupuncturist and I love to teach my patients that they have the power to maintain their health. You know your body better than anyone else. If you pay attention to what it is telling you, you can take early preventative steps to boosting your immunity. Here’s how to not g...
Ok. The holidays are almost over but can we just review one small aspect? I know every family has its traditions. And one of those is often the making of Christmas cookies. You know, the ones where you use cute cookie cutters on sugar cookies, decorate them and then give them to all your friends on a pretty plate with a red bow? It means, although I happily exchange cookies, I have discovered: I fail at making Christmas cookies. Let me explain. I have a friend who makes the kind of angels,...
Ok. We all love the holidays. But how did I miss the memo that says we have to stop our normal lives from November 10 through January 3? Oh, let’s just throw Halloween in too and start with the annual October costume frenzy. This means that for three out of 12 months you put your “normal” life on hold and begin a whirlwind of planning, cooking, and eating for all the visitors. Isn’t that a quarter of a year? Business earnings and projections decide corporate fates in less time than that. And yet, here I am, stopping everything trying to determi...
One of the functions of our local community journalism is to report on governmental actions which may impact the Niwot and Gunbarrel communities. The Left Hand Valley Courier regularly monitors Boulder County government meeting schedules and agendas, and as a result, learned of a meeting among Boulder County Commissioners and legislators that was described as “not open to members of the public.” Since such closed meetings are prohibited by Colorado law, the Left Hand Courier contacted the county commissioners’ office and the notice was changed....
The Niwot High School girls basketball team is very young - and the learning curve is painful. The Cougars hosted Roosevelt High School Dec. 6, and the final score, with Roosevelt on top 87-20, gave an indication of how far Niwot has to go to compete with the best. Roosevelt has a record of 2-1, with the only loss coming against a 5A Cherry Creek team in the opening week of the season. Against Niwot, Roosevelt took control early and never let up. The Cougars were led by sophomore Rose Pacheco, who scored eight points. Sophomore Alex Mounce...
Do you miss the Scholastic Book Fair that showed up at your school every year? The time when you got to see all the newest children’s books, comics, and toys? It’s one of those happy childhood memories that makes us wish that there were more book fairs for adults like us. The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop has a surprise for you: they are hosting the “Goodies for Grown-ups” at Cimmini’s restaurant on Thursday, Dec. 15 from 5-7 p.m. Hundreds of books of multiple genres will be featured at the book fair including titles from best-selling authors s...
Bug's Eye View The building may be small, but Niwot artist Denise Chamberlain has transformed it into a colossal piece of public art. The new mural called "Bug's Eye View" wraps around the entire front and southern side of 291 2nd Avenue, the former location of Niwot Rental and Feed. The new owner of the property, John Fischer, reached out to Chamberlain to create the mural. "I just told Denise to do whatever she'd like," Fischer said. "She told me what she wanted to do and I said, 'That's...
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...
Now it can be told. For well over 20 years, long-time Niwot resident and real estate agent Pat Murphy has sponsored, organized, funded and championed the Great Pumpkin Party on the Saturday before Halloween, and whenever there is a vacant commercial space in town, she has been quick to ask if it can be used for a haunted house as part of the event. Murphy has often worked with the Niwot High School Key Club to construct and staff the haunted house, and this year was no exception. Except that it...
Raiden Stahly, Niwot High School football's only four-year varsity member this season, played his final high school snap on Nov. 4 in the Cougars' finale against Denver North. It was a mix of emotions, but all of them were real for the tight end/outside linebacker. "Going into it I was excited and sad," said Stahly, who also lent his voice to the National Anthem prior to the game. "I saw the end of the season and (my) high school career ending. (There are) a lot of good people on my team and...
Niwot High School boys soccer coach Stephen Dimit didn't rest easy until Javier Alvira scored what turned out to be the third and final goal of a 3-0 shutout against D'Evelyn High School in the first round of the state 4A soccer playoffs. Niwot hosted the game under the lights on the new turf at NHS, and fans were not quite sure where to sit as both teams feature green as the school colors. Niwot entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed, while D'Evelyn was No. 26. "They came out pretty fired up,"...
In seventh grade, Sophie Arnett-Simon traveled with her family to New York City for spring break. While they were there, they saw "Wicked" on Broadway. The moment the show started, Arnett-Simon knew that was what she wanted to do in life. For a few years she convinced herself this dream was impossible, but now she is fully engaged in musical theater at Niwot High School, studying advanced drama and preparing for her role as Tim in the NHS fall production of "Noises Off," a play by Michael Frayn....
Discipline is a trait Kaitlyn Duncan developed at an early age. Duncan, the Niwot High School Arts Student of the Week, is a section leader in the Niwot Band flute section. Growing up, she tried to take advantage of as many opportunities as she could to better herself, not only playing the flute, but also becoming a leader in general. As a result she practiced hard, taking flute lessons and working on her management skills. She has developed those skills as part of another of her interests,...
When grocery and convenience stores started stocking full strength and craft beers in 2019, it wasn't clear how Colorado's beer market would respond. The numbers were initially reported to be up by 20% and a new monthly record was set at 9.8 million gallons sold in January of 2019. That was a 1.6 million gallon increase from the previous year. (Ben Markus, CPR News, May 14, 2019) If Proposition 125 passes this November, Colorado's grocery and convenience stores will be allowed to add wine to...
Proposition 124 - Increase Allowable Liquor Store Locations Citizens Proposition 124 would allow retail liquor stores to apply to state and local governments to open additional locations on a phased-in schedule, with no limit on the number of permissible locations after 2037. A “yes” vote on Proposition 124 allows retail liquor stores to apply for and, if approved, increase the number of locations over time, with no limit on the number of locations after 2037. A “no” vote on Proposition 124 retains current law that limits retail liquor stores...
For most people, a 10k would constitute a long run. But Niwot resident Pete Brandes has a different definition of "long." On Sept. 17th, Brandes, 30, completed the Run Rabbit Run 100-mile ultra-marathon in Steamboat Springs with a total time of 27 hours and 37 minutes. Brandes took 26th place out of a field of 315 dedicated runners. He logged 185,000 steps during the event. The course had 20,391 feet of total ascent and 20,391 feet of descent. Brandes said he started seriously thinking about an...
It was a cool, dreary day on the golf course at Riverdale Knolls in Brighton last week. But a ray of light shone through the gray skies. Niwot High freshman Jackson Sessa qualified for State. “I’m pretty happy. I was not originally thinking that I would qualify because I knew that our region was very tough, and because of the weather. I wasn’t sure I would be able to play my best,” Sessa said. He shot a 79, putting him in a tie for 16th place at the regional 4A tournament. “It was cold and I didn’t start off great but I was able to turn it aro...
The Niwot Cougars made the 3-hour trip to Battle Mountain High School on Friday, Sept. 23, upsetting the Huskies in their Homecoming game as they beat them, 42-13. The defense played a huge role in the victory, and the offense didn't shy away from the scoreboard. The game started slowly with both offenses failing to get a first down for a combined seven drives. It ended up being Battle Mountain that got the first first-down as they strung together some short plays with two longer rushes that...
The House Blend Band, created by Old Oak Coffeehouse owners Michael Tomich and his wife, Patty Machen, closed out the summer concert season on a beautiful summer night in downtown Niwot with another stellar performance featuring family members, guest artists, and the baristas who work at Old Oak. A crowd of several hundred people, young and old, brought lawn chairs and enjoyed the music, together with the spaghetti house special from Old Oak on a warm evening, where the threat of rain resulted...
The last concert of the Rock & Rails 2022 season opened with the amazing blues sound of Nalani playing the upright bass. Her throaty vocals, accompanied by her bass, made folks want to get up and dance. Nalani's giant smile and big voice kept the crowd's enthusiastic attention as rain threatened to dampen the event. Nalani, also known as Nalani DeMarco Clisset, grew up on Third Avenue in Niwot, and is a graduate of Niwot High School. Her mother, Satir DeMarco, books all of the music for Rock &...
When Gina Piffarerio first joined 4H, she likely didn't expect to find herself one day at the Westminster Dog Show. This past June, that's just where she and her rottweiler found themselves at the prestigious event in New York. Piffarerio and TCB's Professor Minerva McGonagall, better known as Maggie, competed for the title of best of breed at the 2022 Westminster Dog Show. It was a tight competition with 30 dogs all scrambling to win in five different categories, but Piffarerio and Maggie held...
Last Saturday's Niwot High School girl's softball double-header was something of a "wildcat" contest as the Cougars battled the Lyons Lions and the Peak to Peak Pumas. Junior Jenna Hobson and Maddie Stimack shared pitching duties both days with Hobson starting and Stimack coming on in relief. Scoring began early in the first game, with shortstop Autumn Rutherford singling to reach base before she was brought home with the first run. After catching up at the bottom of the first inning, the Lions...
This Friday, July 29, the Colorado Rockies face the LA Dodgers at Coors Field in Denver, and the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band is scheduled to perform the National Anthem to open the game. Since its founding on July 4, 2005, at the dedication of the bandstand at Whistle Stop Park, the band has always had its collective eye on interesting local venues. The band is a regular at Niwot events, including the 4th of July celebration, the "Why Not Niwot?" Juried Art Show, Enchanted...
Left Hand Water district has released its annual water quality report and methods for homeowners to reduce their water consumption for the environment. Water contamination is often caused by agricultural livestock operations, septic systems, sewage treatment plants, oil and gas production, gas stations, synthetic or volatile organic chemicals, and urban storm-water runoff that may contain pesticides, herbicides, salts, and metals. Fortunately, there were no treatment technique violations or maximum contaminant level violations found in the...
Garden lovers, assemble! This week’s eco-friendly topic is on pollinators, as June is National Pollinator Month. In recent news, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law to protect pollinators in Colorado. SB22-199 will require the executive director of the department of natural resources to conduct a study regarding the challenges native pollinators face. The law also requires the executive director to develop education and outreach programming to improve pollinator populations. There are more than 950 native species and 250 b...
Not unlike other local businesses and attractions, Chief Niwot is the namesake for the Left Hand Grange as the Arapaho word for "left-hand" is Ni-wot. What is interesting about the building known as the Left Hand Grange Hall is its rich history. The local Grange organization, known as Left Hand Grange No. 9, initially operated out of the Batchelder School House southwest of Niwot, and received its charter on January 24, 1874. It is currently the oldest active Grange in Colorado. The Granger...
Ron Ivory and his group One on One are a staple of performance venues like Nissi's and Colorado's outdoor community summer concerts. Fans appreciate the blend of Motown, classic soul and old school R&B the musicians offer, and audiences get up out of their seats for covers of classics from The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Al Greene and more. Ron talked to us about how this blend keeps audiences moving while at the same time moves them so that their night becomes something more than what they might...
The Memorial Day kickoff to summer calls for a barbeque, friends, and outdoor lounging. To add to your gatherings, local Niwot chefs from La Musette at The Wheel House and Cimmini's restaurants have provided us with recipes from some of their favorite lighter, fresher foods. Both of these take a little prep but they have fresh, bright and interesting flavors anyone would enjoy. If you don't make them for this Memorial Day weekend, keep the recipes nearby for later in the summer when it's too...
Inkberry Books came through with yet another fascinating story. Justin Courter's The Heart of it All is a little bit mid-life-crisis, a little rebellious and extremely engaging. We first meet narrator John Ritter shortly after he's moved back to Cincinnati, or "Cincinasty," as he calls it, in order to help his grandmother who has Alzheimer's. But this homecoming is more difficult than he perhaps expected-in addition to taking care of his grandmother, he works for a crook of an old "friend," is...
The Big Tom Colony sounds like a rock band (remember Big Head Todd?) or maybe a nudist camp, but it's actually a colony of feral cats named for Abo's Pizza businessman Tom Smathers, or "Big Tom '' as he is locally known. Niwot residents have known Big Tom for 24 years as the former owner of Abo's in Niwot. Nowadays you can catch a glimpse of Smathers running his outdoor catering business or Abo's Pizza in North Boulder. His catering business, Abo's Special Events & Catering, provides pizza from...
Attention, all bird lovers! There has been an outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) that has now spread to wild birds in 30 U.S. states. According to recent data collected in April, the most susceptible to the flu are poultry, waterfowl, raptors, and vultures. The flu has been detected in commercial flocks, backyard flocks, and wild birds in Colorado. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is very low risk of infection for the general human population. Symptoms of the flu that may appear...
