All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 1186 - 1235 of 3916
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) held its monthly board meeting Aug. 3 in the Mountain View Fire Rescue Niwot Station conference room. The board bid farewell to Kim Hawksworth who stepped down as the NCA’s events planning director because she will be leaving Niwot. Kim has been a member of the board since 2015, and has served as events planning director since 2018. The board expressed their appreciation for the years of work that Kim put into what is one of the most important roles in the organization. The NCA sponsored the National N...
Face Vocal Band, the beloved a cappella band that has been featured on both local stages and in venues as elevated as Carnegie Hall, Red Rocks, The Broncos' Empower Field, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, is coming back to Rock & Rails. This year's concert comes during a time of change for the band, as longtime member Cody Qualls prepares to step away later this month. We talked to the band's percussionist/beatboxing master Mark Megibow about the band, current changes, some of their favorite...
The opener at Rock & Rails Thursday night Aug. 4 was the band "Good Music Medicine," featuring Niwot resident Joe Pacheco, and Thomas Dow. The duo played a great mix of folk and blues music. Pacheco, who plays with a number of bands in the area, plays amazing bass while mixing in the vocals, with Dow playing the guitar and singing. Other members of the Boulder-based band include Scott Wright on percussion and vocals, and Kit Sawyer on guitar and vocals, but Pacheco and Dow were the only ones...
Boulder County Sheriff's officers assigned to Niwot's Rock & Rails concert series did not show up July 28, and concert managers later received a message that the officers had been deployed to Erie as part of a SWAT team response. By Friday, Niwot residents learned the tragic news that the Erie response was connected to a murder-suicide that shook not only Loveland and Erie, but the Niwot community as well. Lindsay E. Daum and her daughter, 16-year old Meadow Sinner, were murdered in their...
Business is anything but "as usual" in Niwot's business district. A nationwide worker shortage has left businesses everywhere struggling to maintain their typical working hours and functionalities, and many of the staple establishments in downtown Niwot have been affected by the shortage as well. At 1914 House, the worker shortage has affected all levels of employment, but the restaurant has been very fortunate to have had enough staff on hand thus far. Head Chef Justin Hirshfield shared his ins...
Gleaming brass and purple T-shirts dazzled baseball fans as the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band played the national anthem at Coors Field Friday, July 29. "It was really exciting," saxophonist Brenda Luksch said after the performance in left field. "I thought we did a good job." Luksch fills in as director from time to time, but was in the saxophone section for this performance as regular conductor Debbie Benson directed the band. Luksch isn't the only versatile member of the band...
On August 11, at 12:30 p.m., the Left Hand Animal Hospital is hosting an event to discuss the Veterinary Practice Act (VPA) and technician regulation with State Representative Karen McCormick. Rep. McCormick was invited to the event as one of the prime sponsors of the bill. She is also a veterinarian in her professional life. Erin Henninger, the Executive Director of the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians (CACVT), has spent the past several years working to include technician regulation in the VPA. “Prior to this r...
Revenues of the Niwot Local Improvement District keep climbing, with the latest report showing $24,878.21 collected in May from the LID’s 1% sales tax, which was more than 25% higher than May 2021 collections. Overall, the year-to-date collections are up by 18.29% over the same period a year ago. Treasurer Bruce Rabeler reported that the LID’s reserve fund at the end of 2021 was estimated to be $307,356. By previous resolution, the LID has a policy of keeping a reserve amount of at least $60,000 to guard against a downturn in the economy. The f...
Before a whistle pig can fly, apparently she must learn to hitchhike. Marmots, also known as whistle pigs, aren't native to highways and they don't have thumbs but they are good at disappearing into a cozy engine to hitch a ride. One yellow-bellied marmot recently completed an epic journey from Colorado to Canada. It started when Canadian tourists made camp at the foot of the Maroon Bells near Aspen while the whistle pig curled up in the warm engine of their car for a midday snooze. The couple...
There's one person who commands the Rock & Rails stage more than once during the course of this season, and it's Mark Trippanese, frontman for Last Men on Earth. While he also leads The Long Run, he calls Last Men on Earth a "variety rock band." It's really a lot more than that. It's arena rock for everyone, featuring popular favorites that audiences know and can dance to. And the band can switch it up In a heartbeat. This popular group has played all around the Front Range including The Buffalo...
Rock & Rails last Thursday evening opened with the great guitars and harmonies of Dean Himes and Mark Kaczorowski. The musicians, who often perform together, sang classics from the Allman Brothers, Loggins & Messina, Don Henley and many others. But their best effort was a song written by Himes titled "Seashell Memories." The duo sang and played country and country-rock style music under threatening skies and cooler temperatures, but the rain never came. Himes grew up in Pennsylvania, beginning...
I almost forgot how much I enjoy short stories. There's something so special and ephemeral about them that you don't really get with novels. So when Inkberry Books recommended Greg Sanders' collection of short stories "The Suffering of Lesser Mammals," I was pleasantly reminded. A short collection at just under 150 pages and 13 stories, "Mammals" is both unique and intriguing. Each story mixes the concepts and feel of "The Twilight Zone", "Doctor Who" or fairy tales. For example, in "Prague's Ch...
It's a busy time for alumni behind the planning of the Niwot High School 50-Year anniversary celebration. While still in the planning stages, there is a tentative schedule of events (posted below). A group of alumni created a page on Facebook dedicated to planning events leading up to the Sept. 9 celebration. The Facebook group is keeping the history alive, posting newspaper clippings and articles from the first years of the school. People commenting are making connections after many years and t...
I hope you’re a fan of Jerry Seinfeld, co-writer and co-producer of “Bee Movie,” because Saturday, Aug. 27, is Niwot’s 2nd Annual Honeybee Harvest Festival. Go to downtown Niwot for live music, bee-friendly activities for children, horse-drawn carriage rides, pop-up vendors, mead tasting, bee-loving advocates’ presentations, artwork, and a farmer’s market. Drop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and you won’t be disappointed. This festival this year will honor the memory of Tom Theobald, who spoke at the inaugural festival last summer i...
National Night Out, a nationwide effort to connect communities with first responders, returns to Niwot Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by the Niwot Community Association and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. Niwot is one of several venues where the BCSO will set up in Boulder County that evening. The NCA website invites the community to attend, saying, "National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes first responders and community...
The Colorado 119 (Diagonal Highway) Bikeway Project is making progress in obtaining funding, with another round due to be considered in the near future. The project is to build an off-street, multi-use hard-surfaced bikeway from Boulder to Longmont on the median between the two directions of Diagonal Highway motor vehicle traffic. The design involves a wide concrete path to comfortably accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians with minimized conflict with motorists through underpasses at the...
The Small Town Big Heart Marshall Fire Fund is into its last group of events in an effort to get to the $100,000 finish line. Headed by Niwot Business Association President Deb Fowler, the effort began shortly after the first of the year to show victims of the fire that other communities cared. "I couldn't be more delighted," Fowler said. "The support from the local businesses, some Niwot clubs and residents joining in, has been overwhelming and the next few events are going to be so much fun."...
It was the early 2000s and six men thought of forming a band. That day, Last Men On Earth (LMOE) was born–even though it was one coin flip away from being called "Kamel Toe." One of those men was Michael Holubec. A born and raised Niwotian, he's stuck around the area and performs with LMOE as often as possible. "We were all a little older, we all had kids, we wanted to do [professional music] on our terms," said Holubec. "It's cool to do something in your spare time with your friends." As a y...
Niwot's weekly Dancing Under the Stars event was full of high energy and huge smiles Friday, July 22. Dancers boogied to diverse sounds spanning music from the 1920s to the 1950s. When you think of swing dances, you might think of the Charleston, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag, Hand Jive and Jitterbug, but there are hundreds more which make up the genre. Swing dancing is experiencing a resurgence, with popular swing dance classes and social dancing at the Avalon and Boulder Swing Dance in Boulder and...
There aren't many bands fans can hear at Rock & Rails and also enjoy in a store's music feed while shopping at WalMart, Target or elsewhere. But that's the case for Twenty Hands High, the nationally touring Southern rock band that's this week's performer. We talked to CW, the band's founder, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, about the band and the upcoming performance. Q: So, what are your thoughts in advance of Rock & Rails? CW: We're stoked to be part of the whole lineup. When you do get to...
A large crowd came early to the July 21 Rock & Rails concert, and were treated to an opening performance by "Dr. Banjo and Nurse Banjo," otherwise known as Pete and Joan Wernick, who have made their home just across the Diagonal Highway on Oxford Road since 1976. Pete played banjo, and his wife Joan accompanied him on the guitar, with both contributing vocals. Pete and Joan have a unique progressive bluegrass, country music style. Joan also has a wonderful voice she shared, singing some of the...
You may know Seth Steele as the guy who cuts your turkey slices and pork-based needs at the Niwot Market-the same guy who's been a part of the family business since high school and has worked his way up from the produce aisle to becoming the manager of the meat department. Or you may think of him as the son of Bert Steele, owner of the Niwot Market, or the brother of Alison Steele, who coordinates volunteers for the Niwot Business Association (NBA) while also working at the Niwot Market. But...
One of the ways The Rotary Club of Niwot serves our community is through gifts to local charities. One of their main fundraising events is the sale of cases of delicious Palisade Peaches each year, and orders are now being taken. Funds raised are given to the Rotary's partner charities. This year the Rotary Club of Niwot has a goal of selling 1,000 cases of peaches in addition to selling peach jams and vinegars. The Peach Sale fundraiser has a goal of raising $8,000 this year, that will in turn...
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...
Jeff and Dawn Server hosted the July 12 meeting of the NIwot Business Association at their home in Heather Hills, which is also the site of Meadow Lake Honey. Dawn Server explained the varieties of lavender plants they grow to support the bees which produce the honey. She noted that the best health benefits for our immune systems are achieved by consuming raw honey produced by bees near your home. "Bees will go two to three miles," she explained. "Milkweed is their favorite." NBA President Eric...
Saturday night in Niwot was special as the first block of 2nd Avenue was closed off for another concert by the House Blend Band, with Old Oak Coffee House owners Michael Tomich and Patty Machen, family and staff performing. Saturday night's concert featured two singers who also work at The Old Oak Coffee House, Page and Noah Smith. Smith performed Elton John's Rocket Man, reaching the high notes with ease. Ever present David Mitchell was on-hand supporting the band with his magical woodwind...
City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) is considering and evaluating the use of e-bikes on some city open space trails. This proposal would allow class-1 and class-2 e-bikes on the Boulder Canyon Trail, the trails that exist on the plains, the trails east of Broadway Avenue in Boulder, east of the North Foothills U.S. 36 corridor to the north of Boulder, and Colo. 93 to the south of city limits (which equates to 34 miles of open space trails). A Class 1 e-bike is a low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a motor...
From June 17 through June 23, 2022, the Niwot Branch of the U.S. Postal Service closed for renovations. According to Adam Lambing, Sales Service Distribution Clerk, it took two days to move everything out of the building before the work could be started. "All of the flooring, from the front to the back of the building, was replaced," Lambing said. "It's an old building and there were several missing tiles." Post Office officials chose to begin the renovations on June 17 in part, "because June...
Two local breweries recently medaled in the coveted U.S. Beer Cup. Niwot-born Bootstrap Brewing took home gold for its often awarded Wreak Havoc Imperial Red and a silver for its Chillax Pineapple fruited beer. Gunbarrel's Beyond the Mountain Brewery took home two medals, a silver for its Klaus' Kolsch, and bronze for its Headspin, a New England IPA. Eleven other Colorado breweries also medaled, including three from Liquid Mechanics in Lafayette. The championship is one of the largest...
The restroom doors at Niwot Children's Park were vandalized earlier this summer when someone tore the signs off the doors. At this point, the boys restroom (on the east side) and the girls restroom (on the west side) are without identifying signs. Earlier this year, a homeless man was seen entering the restroom late in the day, and was told to leave as the park is closed to use overnight. Reports indicate he had returned on several occasions and the Boulder County Sheriff's Department was...
After years without a teacher-led trip to Europe due to travel restrictions brought on by Covid, Niwot students were excited to be able to travel together. A total of 48 students and chaperones toured seven cities across Europe for 15 days. Students departed for the trip just days after graduation on May 30 and returned June 13. According to Niwot English and IB teacher Becky Myers, this trip is a highlight of the year for many kids. "It's a very global perspective, which features history and...
The Colorado legislature recently passed legislation to curb the powers of homeowners’ associations, and Governor Jared Polis signed the law June 3, 2022, to take effect August 10, 2022. The law grew out of abuses by HOA’s concerning fines, foreclosures, notice and collection activities. Among other things, the new law prohibits an HOA from seeking foreclosure based solely on fines assessed for violation of community rules. It also limits the total fines for a violation to $500, and prohibits assessment of daily fines for a violation. Additiona...
The Eagles is the kind of music that whenever it's played it's hard to keep from tapping your feet or humming along. Fans know the songs, though many prefer one style of the group's songs over another. When The Long Run takes the stage at Rock & Rails, fans can do more than hum or tap. They can dance the night away while, according to rumors, enjoying more copious adult beverages than at any other Rock & Rails show. Band founder and Don Henley-style vocalist Mark Trippensee talked to us about...
The audience gathered for Rock & Rails last Thursday evening enjoyed a great opening act featuring Longmont's Tim Ostdiek, performing with Jenny Balagna. The music by the singer-songwriter was fun and energetic. He strummed and picked his way lyrically through several of his tunes while Balagna provided close harmony. She also played the keyboard backing her partner's fanciful guitar work. Ostdiek grew up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, but calls Longmont his home. He is well known on the local music...
A dog on hind legs peeks longingly into the window of Niwot Rental and Feed, a red guitar bursts from the stage at Whistlestop Park as children dance, a golfer tees off with Haystack Mountain in the distance. These are just a few of the iconic images of Niwot and the surrounding area that are on display around town for this year's annual art exhibition, "Why Not Niwot? Juried Art Show. Thirty-five pieces have been entered by 16 artists who submitted up to three works each. A panel of judges...
With seven members present, the NIwot Local Improvement District advisory committee recommended approval of three funding requests at its regular meeting July 5 at the Niwot Inn. The LID collects a 1% sales tax in Niwot’s business district and makes recommendations to the Boulder County Commissioners for expenditures which benefit the business district. Chair Scott Firle was joined by Vice-Chair Eric Bergeson, Treasurer Bruce Rabeler, Mary Coonce, Lisa Rivard, Keith Waters and Cornelia Sawle. Mark Ruzzin was the liaison from Boulder County. T...
On Wednesday, July 7, Boulder County Commissioners Claire Levy, Matt Jones and Marta Loachamin conditionally approved the proposed modifications to Hillside School in Gunbarrel, subject to additional conditions drafted during the hearing. The original Special Review and Site Specific Development Plan (SU-03-09), submitted in March 2022, proposed modifications to the school, located at 7415 Lookout Road, to include a new 10,500-square-foot school building with 12 new classrooms for up to 68...
Last week we wrote about Niwot native Royce Johnson and how in 1974 he made land available to the Gunbarrel Lefthand Valley Boys Baseball, Inc., a non-profit organization now known as Niwot Youth Sports, as a site for "temporary" ballfields. The "temporary" Johnson Fields were used continuously for over 20 years until homes were built on Christopher Court in the Johnson Valley Subdivision in 1994. Ultimately, land that Johnson had donated to Boulder County for a park known as Left Hand Valley...
The race for Boulder County Commissioner in the Democratic primary election had to wait until all corrected and absentee ballots were counted before the results were certain. Ashley Stolzmann, Louisville mayor, had a 42-vote lead over Ealaina Shively, an attorney with the Boulder County District Attorney’s office, after over 55,000 votes were counted. When the last of the corrected ballots were in, her lead increased to 68 votes, with a total of 27,870 votes for her, compared to 27,802 votes for Shively. Though the margin of victory triggers an...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) held its monthly board meeting on July 6th in the Mountain View Fire Rescue Niwot station conference room. There were two guests from Niwot Youth Sports (NYS), a local non-profit that has launched a new project to make improvements to the Hangge Fields at Monarch Park. There will be several improvements to the fields, but most importantly, a new building to replace the shipping containers and port-a-potties that are currently on site. Fundraising...
Boulder County Public Works Departments’ Road Maintenance Division will begin annual paving operations on county roadways on Tuesday, July 12. The work will take place between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and is expected to last through August, weather permitting. Work will take place on these projects, in the order listed: • 79th Street between CO Highway 52 and Niwot Road • Monarch Road between 79th Street and the Diagonal Highway • 73rd Street between the Diagonal Highway and Niwot Road • Niwot Road between the Diagonal...
Master blues guitarist Sammy Mayfield comes to this week's Rock & Rails stage after playing with a list of major gospel, soul and blues musical legends. During his time as musical director with Solomon Burke, he traveled the world and he's shared the stage with Ike Turner, The Neville Brothers, Charlie Musselwhite, Little Richard and others. In recent years, he's continued to produce work and locals can also hear him on the airwaves every other Saturday with KUVO's All Blues radio show....
Mark Oblinger and Linda Lawson provided a rare treat for early arrivals at Rock & Rails in Niwot July 7. Oblinger is a Grammy nominee and Emmy Award-winning singer-songwriter who lives in nearby Boulder, and he brought Lawson along to join in the performance. Oblinger played his acoustic guitar while singing an eclectic mix of heartfelt soul, rock, and R&B. Lawson accompanied him with a great keyboard mix and vocals. It seemed almost second nature for them to perform together as they played a mi...
Friday night, July 8, was very hot and humid, but it didn't stop the dancers, a huge group of people who gathered at Cottonwood Square Shopping Center to learn the waltz. Dancing Under the Stars is a free dance event that takes place Friday nights all summer. Last Friday was Ballroom Dancing night; dancers were treated to a free lesson on the key steps for dancing the waltz. The lesson started at 7 p.m. and a big circle of dancers moved cautiously on the makeshift dance floor. Initially, the...
Proving the event has staying power, the Second Annual Niwot Jazz Festival wrapped up Saturday night, June 25, 2022. Approximately 650 people were in attendance throughout the afternoon and evening and enjoyed almost perfect weather and an even better jazz lineup. Keith Waters, the Jazz Festival's Musical Director, as well as CU Music Professor and Inkberry Books co-owner said, "We were really delighted with the way it turned out." Musicians from as far away as New York and Washington, DC,...
Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of stories on the four artists painting murals on walls in the Cottonwood Square Shopping Center-Jerry Sinor Building mural project, curated by Street Wise Arts. Chief Niwot, leader of the Southern Arapaho tribe, is remembered for many honorable attributes - his bravery and wisdom, his mastery of multiple languages, and his great guidance and diplomacy. But most importantly, Chief Niwot is remembered for aspirations that his tribe could exist peacefu...
