All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Boulder County Sheriffs were summoned to 364 Franklin Street in Niwot to conduct a welfare check on Monday morning, Sept. 27. According to Sgt. Bill Crist, the official who first entered the house, the body of Steve Tubbs, age 70, was discovered. "We are not investigating for foul play," Crist said because the death appeared to be from natural causes. The Boulder County coroner's office is conducting an autopsy to confirm the cause of death and that process may take up to 10 or 12 weeks. Many...
First Hole A hawk whistles as it lands on the giant cottonwood just behind the first tee. It's an appropriate send-off as I begin my final round at Haystack Mountain Golf Course. As always, there is something that takes my attention away from the little white ball when I'm here, whether it is the wildlife, peach and purple sunsets, stately trees or the tawny slopes of the odd bump on the horizon, Haystack Mountain itself. This late summer day is the last time I'll play the nine-hole course off...
Junior quarterback Ben Classen was definitely the star of Niwot's 42-13 win over Skyview, but it was senior Bryce Nemec who had the most memorable moment of the game. With Niwot leading 35-6 in the 4th quarter, the hard hitting lineman heard a play call he was not expecting. "We practice once or twice a week that if we get close [to the goal line], then I would run it in," he said of his 2-yard rush for a touchdown, the first of his career. "I almost bobbled it, actually. I got a little nervous,...
I recently underwent a health assessment which involved a lengthy questionnaire on how I care for myself. It was part of a getting acquainted process with a new medical company. Things went smoothly until the interviewer asked about any exercise I routinely do. I said "Gardening." She nodded and said she was interested in what I did for exercise, ignoring my input on my green thumb activities. I reiterated, "Yes – I garden. Every day. Vegetable gardening." Again, I got the nod without any n...
Thanks to the pandemic and restrictions on school activities, Sreya Karumanchi's year as a junior drum major for the Niwot Marching Band was a bit of a let-down. But dealing with the challenges from the 2020 season also taught her some valuable lessons in leadership that have helped her senior year get off to a great start. "It made me understand the importance of flexibility and long-term growth," the longtime clarinet player said. "I knew that this year would be difficult, just because of the...
The Niwot offense got off to another slow start in its Sept. 17 matchup against league foe Riverdale Ridge, scoring just six points in three quarters, despite success moving the ball on the ground. But for the fourth quarter, junior quarterback Ben Classen had some late-game heroics up his sleeve, and four touchdowns later, the raucous homecoming crowd was rewarded with a 34-20 victory. "If you sit in the stands, you can see why Ben Classen has such a huge impact when he's playing both sides,"...
Niwot-born Bootstrap Brewing has once again medaled at this year's Great American Beer Festival awards. The brewery received a gold medal for Stick's Pale Ale, a win which placed it among 20 other GABF gold, silver, and bronze medal winners in Colorado. Although the festival portion of this year's event was canceled due to pandemic-related concerns, the awards portion of the ceremony proceeded in person. Brewers, many of whom were already in town for the Craft Brewers Conference, carefully...
Playing NCAA Division I college volleyball has long been a dream for Niwot senior Zoe Gibbs and, after three impressive seasons as a varsity middle for the Cougars, one clearly within her reach. Unfortunately for the versatile Gibbs, her optimum recruiting period coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, making an already fraught process even more of a headache. But Gibbs didn't let the hassle derail her plans, and after months of patiently making highlight videos and sending out emails to coaches,...
For Niwot resident, Cathy McCall, gardening is much more than a casual weekend hobby. McCall, who lives on 3rd Avenue in downtown Niwot, has used her enthusiasm for gardening to not only curate her own yard into a pollinator (and wildlife) paradise, but she has also been helping her neighbors turn little corners of their property into similarly inviting oases of flowers, shrubs, and grasses. Her latest project is a pollinator garden on the corner of 3rd Avenue and Franklin, where Niwot resident...
It's been a week since students, teachers, and staff started the new school year. After the pandemic created an unconventional, some would say difficult, year of learning, returning to full-time, in-person classes throughout the district is something that many parents are grateful for. At the same time, the community is not having the same kind of back-to-school experience as in years past. Students are required to re-acclimate to a more conventional social and learning environment after the...
The school community was hopeful that when they returned to school this fall masks would not be required in SVVSD schools. As it turns out, that won't be the case. Following guidance from Boulder County Public Health through Public Health Order 2021-07, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) is requiring masking for all students, faculty and staff in grades PK-12 while indoors. The school district did not provide a direct response to the Courier's questions about the decision. Instead,...
Niwot Community Association board members had a bit of a "green-storming" session at their August meeting. Niwot resident Terry Purcell approached the group with the suggestion that Niwot needs a community garden. "I've been talking to people as I work at the Niwot Market and everyone has been enthusiastic about the idea," he told NCA board members. "This could be a really wonderful social gathering place for the community." Purcell said he was bringing the idea to the NCA because of the...
After months of renovations, upgrades, and minor bureaucratic hassles, the beer is finally flowing at Fritz Family Brewers in Niwot. On July 23, owners Kelly and Cory Buenning opened their doors at 6778 79th St. for a grand opening celebration, and settled in to meet their new neighbors. "We're excited to finally be open," Kelly Buenning said. "We thought it was a long time coming...but it was actually pretty fast considering the remodel that we did." Indeed, the Buennings didn't just update...
Niwot-based author R.L. Maizes' latest book, Other People's Pets, has something new to celebrate. On June 26, her latest book was named as the winner of the 2021 Colorado Book Award for General Fiction. The novel tells the story of an animal-loving young woman who was raised by her burglar father and turns to robbery to pay for legal fees after he is caught. She justifies her way of life by taking care of the pets in the homes she robs. As the story progresses, page by page it delves into what...
The old proverb simply states, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." It means trying to do what someone else does, or think like someone else thinks is a compliment to that person. Parents, you should feel flattered, because your kids spend a large amount of time watching your actions and then imitating them. People often imitate or follow along with others without thinking about their actions, sometimes when doing unsafe acts. So, when you are in your vehicle with your kids, remember...
I am not a princess. Really - despite any rumors you’ve heard to the contrary. My problem is that I’m just not a handy person. I don’t sew, decoupage, scrapbook, paint, refurbish or generally do crafts. Oh sure, when I was little, during the holiday season, my mother and I would make little things. One year I remember making a kaleidoscope, which consisted of a decal gingerly placed at the bottom of a baby food jar with some glitter. Hey, it was the mid-1950s - that was as high tech as it got. When things need to be done around the house, I usu...
On July 8, the Board of Boulder County Commissioners held a town hall meeting to discuss increased recreational visitation to Boulder County Parks and Open Space properties. The 90-minute Zoom meeting also discussed programs and activities that are being hosted by area partners and the county and answered questions from residents. County commissioners, Matt Jones, Claire Levy, and Marta Loachamin were joined by interim co-director of Boulder County Parks and Open Space, Jeff Moline, as well as...
Boulder County Parks and Open Space recently completed several planting projects to offset canopy loss on open space property caused by the emerald ash borer. County staff and volunteers planted 52 new trees at four trailheads throughout the county, including at the Niwot Loop and Lefthand Valley Grange Trailheads. Funding for the project was provided, in part, by a $1,500 grant that Boulder County received from the Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC), a nonprofit that works with commercial and munici...
It wasn't easy for Niwot girls soccer coach Jenna Machado to find the positives after the Cougars' 7-0 loss to Windsor in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs on June 16, but she did see opportunities for growth and predicts a bright future for a team that is highly talented, but still learning the ropes of high school soccer. "We're not there yet, competition-wise," the second-year coach said after addressing her emotional team. "This young group is really strong, but they definitely need...
Meet Baxter! Baxter is a four-year-old boxer mix. He is super cuddly and wonderful with other pups and people alike. Baxter tends to get a bit timid around small children but really hits it off with teenagers! Baxter is looking for a loving, caring forever home and can't wait to meet you! If you are interested in Baxter or any other foster doggies, please contact Farfels Farm at (303)443-7711 or visit farfels.com. Farfels is 100% foster-based and would love to hear if you are interested in...
Motorcycle season is now upon us again. Dust off the motorcycle seat and check it out to see if your bike and you are ready to hit the open roads again. As fun as it is to ride a motorcycle, I wanted to let you know that the Colorado State Patrol is seeing an increase in motorcycle crashes and fatalities and we really want to curb that problem. Contrary to what a lot of people may think, a lot of these crashes haven't included other vehicles. They are single motorcycles going down. This issue...
Have you been bitten by the gardening bug and are now itching to plant? The cool, wet weather we've been enjoying has had gardeners impatiently waiting for the soil to warm and the skies to stop peppering us with hail so our plants can finally go outside. Now that the National Weather Service is saying we're in for warming up and drying out, be patient for a few more days to let the soil temperatures rise. Wet soil warms more slowly, because the sun's energy goes into drying it out; once that's...
He was 120 pounds of black and brown love at the end of the school day for kids at Niwot Elementary School. For the past two years Sully the German Shepherd would wait outside the school to pick up his three "sisters," Maggie, Abigail and Emma, and walk them home. The girls and their classmates would blast out of the school doors, eager to find Sully and engulf him with their affection. "I don't really think the kids were ever scared of him, because he just had this demeanor to him that you...
Niwot's popular summer concert series Rock & Rails kicks off its 15th season on Thursday, June 3, with local duo Pacheco & Bower at 5 p.m. followed by headliner Mojomama at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, and gates open at 4 p.m., but before you fold up your camping chair and head to Whistle Stop Park, organizers from the Niwot Cultural Arts Association are asking guests to be courteous and exercise reasonable COVID safety precautions. "We're strongly encouraging people to be safe," NCAA officer...
The following is text of Niwot High Student Council President Benjamin Goff's commencement address: In the years of 2002 or 2003, what would eventually be the Class of 2021 came into the world. We came into radically different circumstances from one another. It led us all here. The last 18 or so years have led to the end of the beginning of the journey which we will spend the rest of our lives on. I'm sure many questions will be asked, some without answers, but perhaps the most crucial will be,...
I scooped up some scrap hay at a barn where I kept my horse and noticed a dark spot in the midst of the pale green. Between my hands and the hay was a frail body no bigger than my thumb, a mix of black fuzz and feather. I looked up to the 40-foot rafters where I knew there was a barn swallow nest. This little one might have made a too-early attempt to fly or took a tumble after sibling scuffle. At least the baby bird made a soft landing on the loose hay. But it made a hard landing on my heart....
The Courier is partnering with Inkberry Books again, and I've got quite the story for you. The minute I realized that Carrie Jane Knowles was the author (she wrote another excellent book that I reviewed, The Inevitable Past), I was instantly excited to read A Musical Affair It's excellent, engaging, exciting and definitely a page turner. Unless you just despise classical music or infidelities aren't particularly triggering to you, you're almost assured to like this book. The book largely...
Niwot Community Association board members are sticking to their plans to hold a July 4th motorcade instead of a full-blown parade, even though Boulder County has loosened COVID-19 restrictions on large outdoor events. "We are erring on the side of caution this year," said parade coordinator Julie Breyer. "We want people watching from their front yards along the motorcade route to be as comfortable as possible." In addition, the NCA board also plans to have each area representative host an...
A slow start gave way to an avalanche of scoring, as the Niwot girls soccer team cruised to a 9-0 victory over Roosevelt on May 13. The Cougars were led by senior Kiera Flanagan and her four goals, but several newcomers also contributed to the lopsided win, which second-year coach Jenna Machado took as a promising sign for the youthful team. "I was very happy with that," Machado said of the effort from the freshmen and sophomores in her team's second win of the season. "I'm very excited because...
Flagstaff Academy's Elementary and Middle School Visual Arts program is an important component of the K-8th grade public charter school's Core Knowledge Curriculum and one that also provides much joy and inspiration. Now the larger community can enjoy the beautiful artwork Flagstaff Academy students, known as Dragons, have created during this unprecedented school year. In a year when school was online, in-person, and hybrid, one might think art-making might not be a priority and would slow down,...
The past year has been challenging for prospective college athletes, particularly those who missed their junior seasons of competition in the spring of 2020. But for 15 Niwot High athletes, the arduous journey through the virtual recruiting process came to a satisfying end at the school's Letter of Intent signing ceremony on May 3. "This is probably the hardest year in the history of college athletics to have an opportunity to play at the collegiate level," Niwot High athletics and activities...
Meet Lucy. This adorable and energetic two-year-old kitty is looking for her forever person through Longmont Humane Society right now. Lucy is an outgoing, chatty and social kitty who will do best in a home with a seasoned cat owner who will be able listen to her cues about petting. She also loves playing with toys and benefits from time being active each day! Let us know if you'd like to learn more about Lucy by calling 303-772-1232 today....
Mother's Day is just around the corner, and if you're considering how to show appreciation to someone special, there are plenty of options for local gifts. Better yet, dollars that are spent in the community stay in the community, supporting local retailers and their families. Below are several gift ideas that can be purchased in the area. Each of them centers around different approaches to celebrating the mother in your life. Surprise her with something unusual Sometimes the best gift is...
Junior Nguyen Pham is a talented student in Niwot High's IB art program who prefers to let her artistry do the talking. She is currently enrolled in a 3-D design course at the school, where she has worked with everything from metal and plaster, to wood and clay. Last month, one of her sculptures was featured in St. Vrain Unframed student art show, a virtual showcase of the most interesting student artwork from schools around the district. Pham's submission resulted from an assignment to create...
As warmer spring weather takes hold and homeowners enact plans for lawncare and landscaping, North Denver Metro water providers are banding together to ask residents to use their water carefully. A dozen suppliers have joined together to help educate the public on wise water use. According to a recent press release, despite heavy snow on the front range in March, mountain snowpack is still below average in some areas and streamflow levels are expected to be low to average in the future....
It's not every teen who can find an emergency bandmate in their house, let alone one who can play Zimbabwean music. When Niwot High senior Noah Randall couldn't play in-person with his band during the pandemic, he would say, "Hey Mom, can you play with me?" It makes sense since she is the one who introduced him to music from Zimbabwe. She saw a band in Boulder and decided to take lessons on the marimba, an instrument similar to a xylophone. Randall was in elementary school at the time and had...
Last fall, Boulder County kicked off its planning process for the future of Highway 287 with an extensive feasibility study focusing on bus rapid transit, or BRT. As part of that effort, on April 14, officials held the second in a series of transportation-focused virtual public meetings. The online information session was attended by approximately 38 people, according to Jeff Butts, the County's multimodal transportation planner. Butts helped run the meeting and has been key to coordinating comm...
Niwot sophomore Morgan Lane was a curious kindergartener the first time she heard someone play the violin. "We had show-and-tell, and one of my friends brought their violin and played "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" for the class," she recalled. "And I thought it was the coolest thing. So I went home and begged my parents to let me play." That was nearly a decade ago, and Lane has been working her way toward virtuoso status ever since. Today, she is a member of two orchestral groups at Niwot...
Recently, Longmont-based Left Hand Robotics experienced one of the biggest transitions a company can have. The beloved regional business, which focuses on creating autonomous turf mowing and snow clearing machines, was acquired by the Toro Company of Bloomington, Minn. The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. "It's important to us that we now have the ability to get all the technology, all the work that we've done, to a much, much wider audience in a much shorter time than we were a...
Niwot senior Grable Howie is passionate about music. His advice to music students: "Take risks, never back down from a challenge, and surround yourself with people who will push you and help you become better. Always believe in yourself, and never let any amount of criticism stop you. If you want to become a musician, put in the work, and never quit." Howie certainly hasn't quit, and it's possible that his incredible drive was inspired by his parents, who are musicians as well. He's done...
On Saturday, March 6, Boulder saw its first crack of warm weather for the season. As the sunny weekend day progressed, thousands of my peers from the University of Colorado flocked to the Hill neighborhood for an impromptu party. By the time the sun went down, that soon turned into a riot, complete with smashed cars, injuries and, as is typical in the times of COVID-19, lethal potential for a superspreader event. What would have been, in normal times, a day likely filled with innocent outdoor recreation, was instead a hotbed for an irresponsibl...
Meet Max - This fun-loving little gentleman loves being in the company of people of all ages and is hoping to find a great forever family to call his own. Max is seven years old, is so sweet-natured and just seems to want to give and receive as much love as he can! Max prefers the company of calm and easy going dogs who can be respectful of his space and is looking for a home with no kitties, please. Want to learn more about Max? Please call (303) 772-1232 today and let us tell you what we know...
Can someone please solve this mystery? These "magic" mushrooms are on the back of a sign along the Cougar Trail which borders Niwot Road. What do these mushrooms signify? Is "SoLo" the artist and "SP'' making a comment? Inquiring minds want to know. If you have any answers, let the Courier know. Email us at [email protected]. We'll publish your responses....
I always enjoy partnering with Inkberry Books because I've received great recommendations with such interesting titles. This week, I had the pleasure to review Bruce McDougall's novel, The Lizards of Palm Beach. This is a tale about two brothers, a gold-digging teen, a flamboyant art dealer, a Jeffrey Epstein-like art collector, and other people (mainly rich) who live in the Palm Beach area. Let me tell you--it's a doozy. There's obviously art, a discussion and critique about both the search...
The Little Holiday Shops at Niwot, the Cottonwood Square microbusiness retail store that closed its doors at the end of last year, is poised to reappear permanently as the Little Shops at Niwot. On March 1st, it will set out a welcome mat in the old Shopgirl space next to Winot Coffee. "There were so many festivals and markets that were canceled due to COVID 19, and so many artists. We wanted to give them a place where they could still sell," Leigh Suskin, the Little Shops proprietor, said. ""Th...
Like all seniors in the class of 2021, Niwot girls basketball point guard Grace Wardle has been dealt a rough hand. The Cougars' season had already been cut down to 14 games and that number is even lower for Wardle. She has played in just three games this season and has missed another three and counting due to COVID-19 exposure protocols. Wardle said it has been hard to watch her team play from the virtual sideline in what has been a "disappointing" thorn in her senior season. Despite the...
It's been more than two weeks since my neighbors' dog got out, and made a beeline toward me and my dog as we walked down our driveway for our daily walk. I froze, not knowing what the dog wanted. I'd never seen her loose before. I knew from walking on the path behind the dog's yard that it was a snarly, yappy little thing. It trotted toward us, not showing any clear signs of aggression. No growling or barking or teeth baring. No obvious hackles up. It didn't occur to me that she was coming to...
In April 2020, the St. Vrain Valley School Board authorized an architect design contract for an eight-lane swimming pool to be added onto Silver Creek High School. Nearly a year later, construction is set to begin in February and is expected to be completed in the fall. "People are excited about it," said Silver Creek Athletic Director Patrick DeCamillis. "I think it's a win for the community for sure, not just Silver Creek, but the St. Vrain community and Longmont in general." Up next on the ag...
On June 11, 2020, a beautiful flower bloomed somewhere in Japan. That same day in Colorado, Gunbarrel resident Beniko Olsen drove home with her family after 45 days in the hospital fighting for her life after contracting COVID-19. But first, she directed her husband and two sons to stop off at Starbucks for a long-anticipated Matcha latte. Olsen is a petite woman with a radiant smile and a joyous laugh. In her late 60s, she worked for over 20 years as a teacher's aide at a local preschool while...
A local teen who stutters and his speech therapist have an extra reason to watch Joe Biden give his inauguration speech next week. For the more than three million people in this country who stutter, the silver-haired, president-elect is a symbol of what's possible. "It is amazing. He is really an incredible role model for everybody like him," said Longmont High senior Adam Benes, who has stuttered for as long as he can remember. "I think that's the most impressive thing about him - being...
