All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 1676 - 1725 of 3926
Niwot isn't anywhere near the North Atlantic coast, but it was hard to tell the difference at the July 31 Lobster Fest at Whistle Stop Park. Between the freshly-caught seafood and the persistent drizzle, the reinvented Bash ended up with even more of an authentic New England vibe than the organizers could have hoped for. "This weather is fantastic, it's like Nantucket comes to Niwot," Mary Coonce of the Niwot Business Association said of the soggy conditions. Coonce led the charge to reboot the...
The grand opening is still a few days away, but the shelves are stocked and customers are welcome at The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop, a new children's bookstore at the corner of 2nd Avenue & Franklin Street in Niwot. On July 31 owners Carissa Mina and Jerrilyn Patterson opened their doors for a "soft opening," and were thrilled with the initial response from the community. "We've had a lot of people come in today, and everybody was a customer," Patterson said. "They purchased something and...
Cooking fresh lobster and serving it to a crowd is a challenge in any circumstance, but doing it in a land-locked state like Colorado state adds another level of difficulty. Luckily for organizers of the inaugural Niwot Lobster Fest, a leading expert in bringing tasty crustaceans to local tables has lived right up the street for more than two decades. "I'm from the Boston area, and I came to the University of Colorado School of Business and never left," Paul Packer, Niwot resident and owner of...
A trip to the site of the Sand Creek Massacre site in southeastern Colorado is back on track – 17 months after the pandemic caused the original trip to be postponed. The trip, which was originally set for April 25, 2020, has now been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 25, with the bus leaving from Niwot Market at 8 a.m. The all-day excursion, organized by the Niwot United Methodist Church as part of its 150-year anniversary celebration, will take participants on a four-hour bus ride to the N...
Wildfires are devastating to landscapes. However devastating we think wildfires are, some plants have adapted to wildfires and rely on them. In the past, the plains and foothills areas experienced low to medium intensity fires every 10 to 30 years. These fires served to clean up the duff and dead wood, and killed young tree seedlings that had not developed fire resistance. Due to these low intensity fires, ponderosa tree density in the past was only 20 – 30 trees per acres as opposed to the h...
The Porchfront Homes and former Excel Electric buildings in Niwot were defaced with spray-painted anti-police messages sometime during the night on Aug. 2. The buildings are located at the site of National Night Out in Niwot, scheduled for Aug. 3 to honor first responders. Building owners quickly removed the graffiti. Other communities in the area reported similar vandalism....
On Saturday, Aug. 7, several local streets, including Highway 119, North 75th Street, and Niwot Road, will be subject to delays due to the Boulder Ironman 70.3. The race runs from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is considered a half-triathlon, with participants running, swimming and biking on the course. In addition, Boulder Reservoir will be closed to everyone except those with an Ironman access pass. Anyone traveling in the area should expect significant delays. Alternative routes are recommended. For...
Meet Peanut. This sweet and shy 4-year-old kitty is looking for her new best friend through Longmont Humane Society right now! Peanut is affectionate and social with people once she's had a chance to get to know them and will surely appreciate snuggling up for a quiet evening on the couch. Peanut will likely do well with another cat as well as a polite dog in her new home and would like to find a home with children who are high school age or over, please. If you'd like to learn more about...
After nearly five decades of buying and selling property in Niwot and surrounding communities, independent realtor Pat Murphy is bringing in a new partner to help her navigate today's increasingly complex housing market. Earlier this month, Niwot Real Estate and its four agents officially joined Compass, a nationwide real estate technology company. "With all the new tech and regulations, we were no longer doing what we love," Murphy said of the change. "I love helping people and finding people...
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...
Ever want to see the inside of an emergency vehicle, check out a fire engine pumper or watch K-9 officers and their human handlers strut their stuff? Maybe you'd also enjoy free hot dogs and hamburgers, a free bike inspection from Niwot Wheelworks and rollicking music from the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band? If so, bring the family to the outdoor National Night Out (NNO) event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 3 on Murray Street in downtown Niwot. Sponsored by the Niwot...
Gunbarrel-based nonprofit Cultivate is focused on meeting the needs of our community's seniors. How this plays out is by way of seven programs: Carry-out Caravan (shopping/delivery), Fix-It (home repairs and upgrades), VetsGo (medical appointment transportation), YardBusters (outdoor clean up), SnowBusters (shoveling), RSVP (AmeriCorps Retired Senior Volunteer Program), and File of Life (documents for emergency preparedness). In honor of his volunteerism with the organization, Cultivate wanted...
Things are changing at the Bank of Estes Park in Niwot. Long term vice president and Branch President Wanda Fisher is retiring after 27 years. "It's been a long time. A lot of my customers through the decades have started to ask, 'How long have you been here?' I tease and always say it's been like 400 years," Fisher said jokingly.Wanda Fisher retires from Bank of Estes Park What's not as much of a joking matter is how much she'll miss the Niwot community members she's gotten to know. "One of...
It's been just over a year since Alivia Bell of Niwot Barber Shop was seriously injured while riding her bike in Longmont, but thanks to the support of her clients, neighbors, and friends in Niwot, the experienced stylist is now back behind the chair and doing what she does best. "I love cutting hair, it's my passion," Bell said from her cozy two-chair shop in Cottonwood Square, where she has been working for close to 15 years. "And I just love to be able to help serve in some way, to...
"Sheriff Joe" has a very different connotation in these parts than in Arizona. Joe Pelle has served as Boulder County Sheriff for over 18 years and is in what appears to be his final term, which expires in 2022. Pelle is a former Niwot resident, and his wife Stephanie Pelle worked in the Niwot Post Office for many years. As a result, many Niwot residents are on a first-name basis with the sheriff, which is comforting considering that the Boulder County Sheriff's Department is the law enforcement...
Niwot resident Brian Foster was looking for a "project car" when he spotted something special in an out-of-the-way garage in eastern Colorado. "It was just wasting away in somebody's backyard," he said. Underneath a minor coat of rust was a 1973 Chevrolet Camaro, one of the earliest models of what would become the classic American muscle car of the 1980s. "I knew when I saw it that they're a rare vehicle," the longtime mechanic said. "A lot of them were turned into race cars, and they sent them...
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 summer tradition of Friday Night Dinner at Niwot Market was halted in 2020 due to the pandemic, but Bert Steele has brought them back in 2021, albeit on a monthly rather than weekly basis. The dinners are served on the Market's front patio, and feature multiple courses, prepared using fresh ingredients from the shelves. The cost is $25 per plate for adults, and $13 for kids. Unfortunately, the next date, Aug. 6, is already sold out, but there are still spots available in September. For more...
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...
What a difference a high pressure ridge makes. After a cool, rainy warmup to the season, gardeners are shocked to face scorching hot temperatures that broil our gardens and lawns. The high pressure system parked overhead is pulling the heat up from the south and there is nothing our plants can do but weather the heat. When the heat switched on, lawns stressed, with Kentucky Bluegrass going dormant to escape the near-hundred degree temperatures. Brown spots in yards are blooming faster than the...
Meet Wilbur! Wilbur is a 10-year old Dachshund/Beagle mix. Everyone who meets him falls in love with him! Willbur is about 25 lbs. He loves people and dogs alike. Wilbur is super social and likes to snuggle with kiddos and play with other four-legged creatures. He is looking for a loving family who would like to adopt a senior pup into their home. Currently, he is being fostered through Farfel's Farm Rescue in Boulder. The lucky adopter of Wilbur will receive a FREE TRIAL DAY from Bowhaus Dog...
The taps are shined, the kegs are chilled, and even the cuckoo clocks are synchronized as the staff at Fritz Family Brewers (6778 79th St., Niwot) prepares for its long-awaited grand opening on Friday, July 23. "We're excited to be opening up to the public and having people come in and enjoy the space and enjoy the beers," owner Cory Buenning said at a 'soft' opening for members of the Niwot Business Association on July 17. Buenning and his wife Kelly purchased the taproom and brew house in...
On July 14, across from the Niwot Market, friends and curious community members found themselves at Sarah Cioni's new shop Belle Terre. Some came to welcome her back to Niwot, others came for the free snacks and flowers, others came just to take a selfie with Marie Antoinette. "I'm so happy about the turnout, and I think her shop is amazing," said Sarah Smith, a friend and former colleague of Cioni's. There were quite a few people at the grand opening of the shop--it was packed with people...
Since her college days, local seamstress and designer Allie Olson has loved to sew her own clothes. Her mother taught her the craft as a child, and it is something that has always stuck with her. "I've been working in the sewing world for 10 years," Olson said. "Sewing tends to be a very introverted hobby... I'm surprised by how social it is." After graduating from the University of Colorado, Olson and a small team opened a business that sold indie sewing patterns. "They're not like your grandma...
Bert Steele doesn't consider himself a "car guy," but he definitely appreciates the classics. So when the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled many of Niwot's traditional summer events, including his famed Friday night dinners at the Market, he partnered with Pat Murphy and the Niwot Tavern to bring a socially distanced alternative to town, and the new tradition of Friday night car shows was born. Fast-forward a year and the cars and crowds are still coming to Niwot Market's parking lot in Cottonwood...
Everyone knows about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which provides getaways to critically ill patients, but Broomfield mom Ann Townsend realized that caregivers of those patients face challenges of their own. So in 2018 she founded the Grant-A-Dream Foundation and started helping families across Colorado refresh and reconnect. "Even if caregivers get time to take a vacation, they're exhausted, they don't want to put the time into even putting it together, or they don't know how to do it. And,...
Water goes down the drain. In Niwot’s early days, homes had a septic system with a leach field to collect wastewater. While these systems worked well, they could lead to contamination of groundwater and drinking water. Boulder County began requiring permits for septic systems and gradually imposed stricter regulations on wastewater systems, such as increased lot size requirements. As Niwot developed from a small unincorporated townsite surrounded by farmland and farm houses, into a community with subdivisions to serve the growing population, t...
For many of us, the post-Covid return to normal is still largely an aspiration. While most of Colorado is enjoying not having to wear masks in public places and finding socializing readily available, parts of society are grappling with changes in workforce, supply chains, and certainty of plans for "normal" when looking into the future. In May, I outlined how a larger than average snowpack (163% of 30-year snow water equivalent) was a welcome departure from normal for farmers in the South...
Adriana Torres, Espana Duenas, Denise Dolan and Eva Tanner from Via Mobility Services manned the booth as tip jar recipients for the July 15 Rock & Rails concert. The concert, headlined by Chris Daniels & the Kings, with opening act Tim & Jenny, brought in an enthusiastic crowd. The tip jar collected over $2,900 for Via, a private nonprofit in Boulder which provides clients with access to transportation and mobility options for self-sufficient life throughout Boulder County and...
Meet Marmalade! This sweet and social three-year-old kitty will light up your life. Marmalade is active and curious and enjoys being involved with what is going on around him. He will likely do well with another cat given time to adjust as well as a polite dog, though would prefer a home with older children, please. Interested in meeting this delightful young fellow in person? Please contact Longmont Humane Society at 303-772-1232 or come in for a visit during our regular business hours of 11...
When the Courier first reported in March on the groundbreaking for new restrooms at Left Hand Valley Grange Park, completion was projected to be mid-June. A month past the anticipated grand opening of the toilets and an orange cautionary mesh across of the otherwise fine-looking building signals that it's not quite time for the doors to fling open. Brent Wheeler, Boulder County Recreation and Facilities Project Coordinator, who is responsible for overseeing the restroom installation, said,...
Changes mandated by Boulder County and rising material costs led to approximately $30,000 in unanticipated expenses during construction of the downtown parking lot, according to Chuck Klueber of the Niwot Business Association. Appearing on behalf of the group at the July 6 virtual meeting of the Niwot Local Improvement District advisory committee, he requested the additional funding for the project and explained how the original estimate missed the mark by so much. "We did as best we could to...
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...
Niwot's walkability is one of its best features, and for those who regularly stroll, over time they're likely to repeatedly cross paths with folks doing their own version of movement in the great outdoors. Since her relocation here in January 2018, Sharon Blatchley has been one of those out and about regulars. Blatchley, in the company of her brown and white spaniel, always offers a friendly wave and smile. Instead of being passing ships, we asked Blatchley some questions to learn about her...
Summer in Niwot hasn't been quite the same since Lobster Bash left 2nd Avenue, but the late, lamented community feast is making a comeback. On July 31, the Niwot Business Association is hosting the inaugural Lobster Fest, which "takes it up a notch," according to NBA treasurer Mary Coonce, one of the event's organizers. "Lobster Bash was my first exposure to Niwot," she said. "I was living in Boulder, and used to ride my bike out here, and I would go every year. It's what made me want to live...
Like a lot of other well-loved community activities, last year Rock & Rails faced cancellation in the wake of pandemic health concerns. But 2021 is a new year, and things are beginning to reopen. That includes the beloved concert series. The series began on time on June 3, but organizers were concerned about what to expect. Would there need to be protocols put in place? Would audience members return? Would the concert feel the same way it always had? As of the July 8 reggae concert by Selasse an...
Early farmers in the Niwot area relied upon wells and cisterns for a domestic water supply, as did the residents of Old Town Niwot. In 1960, as Colorado's population began to increase, they looked for a better system to supply potable water to the area. Because Niwot was unincorporated, there was no municipal water system, so farmers and residents formed the Left Hand Domestic Water Users Association, an unincorporated association and sought a $1.25 million loan from the FHA to finance the...
Meet Alvin! Alvin is a five- month-old Redbone Coonhound Mix. Alvin is super friendly and cuddly. He is looking for a family that will give him as much attention as he desires. He is happy with dogs and kiddos alike. The more, the merrier. Alvin is in a foster home now through Farfel's Farm Rescue in Boulder. If you would like more information about Alvin or any of the other foster pups, please visit farfels.com or call (303)443-7711....
Since Lucky Pie closed its doors last August, many have been wondering what business might replace it. Finally, it looks like the community may have its answer. Area chefs Lisa and Patrick Balcom recently announced that, as early September, they will be opening a new restaurant in that Cottonwood Square space. The Balcom’s signed the lease for their restaurant, called Farow, on June 30. Speaking just a day later, they said they hoped to present a menu that focuses on the kinds of seasonal, a...
Niwot residents will soon have another reason to come together and celebrate. This September, the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA), through the efforts of Keith Waters and Gene Hayworth, will be launching its inaugural Niwot Jazz Festival. "There used to be a jazz festival and then it ended a couple years ago," said Hayworth. "My partner Keith [Waters] is a jazz piano player and he's always hoping to find venues... We thought, 'Why not bring [the festival] back?'" Hayworth explained that...
To paraphrase an old adage, "Man plans, the universe laughs." In Jim Eastman's life, at least two major events sent him off the expected path. Thankfully, the world is a better place, and Eastman would likely concur, that he's better as a result. A rollover car accident in 1990 caused Eastman to sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) which led to profound changes cognitively and, over time, physically as a result of stress. A decade later, he experienced another turning point - the discovery tha...
When talking about the return of the Why Not Niwot? juried art show and First Friday Art Walk, Anne Postle of Osmosis Art and Architecture said it best. "We are so excited to start it up again ... with the Art Walk and to feel like the town is having a rebirth." Postle, who is vice-president of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, was ecstatic about the community coming together and having the Why Not Niwot? juried art show, along with First Friday Art Walk, back on track. The NCAA, under the...
Fire protection in Niwot goes back at least 100 years, as evidenced by the Firehouse Museum next to the Left Hand Grange in Niwot. An early cart used to put out fires with a chemical mixture rests outside the museum, a relic from early days of firefighting efforts. Today, fire protection and rescue services are provided by Mountain View Fire and Rescue, a sprawling special district that was originally established in 1961 as the Longmont Rural Fire District to provide professional fire...
With the recent moisture and the heat of summer, summer annual weeds have sprouted and are growing. Winter annuals have produced seed and are at the end of their life cycle. Winter annuals with seeds should be pulled and disposed of in the trash. Weeds with seeds should not be composted in a home compost system as the seeds will likely not be killed in the home composting process. Common summer annual weeds include redroot pigweed, lambsquarter, spotted spurge, prostrate purslane, Russian...
After a quiet summer in 2020, Niwotians were up early and ready for a festive Independence Day. The first post-pandemic fourth featured a fun run starting at Niwot High, a pancake breakfast at Niwot Market, a concert by the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band, and a patriotic motorcade led by Grand Marshal Chuck Klueber. See additional photos on page 6....
Unless you are an entomologist, these pictures taken in Niwot's Cottonwood Square on a warm June day, can only elicit one response – EEEEUUUUWWWW. Or at least that was my reaction. Wasps are a pain. Just ask my friend whose husband was repeatedly stung in the Achilles heel last summer as he mowed the lawn. Turns out the brickwork they installed the summer before provided the perfect environment for a wasp habitat. A few more choice words than EEEEUUUUWWWW were uttered though. All of this got m...
Meet Mugswort. This incredibly affectionate, social and handsome one-year-old kitty will make a truly delightful companion for the lucky cat-loving person who adopts him. Mugswort enjoys nothing more than being close with his people, sitting in laps, getting tummy rubs and generally being involved with what's going on around him. We expect that Mugswort will be able to do well with another kitty in his new home and, given time to adjust, as well as a polite dog. Visit www.longmonthumane.org for...
Known for the past 14 months for takeout and outdoor concerts that offered a safe outdoor community gathering spot during COVID-19, Niwot Tavern has officially reopened for sit down service indoors. On a hot Tuesday June 23rd at lunchtime, diners could finally enjoy the Tavern's menu at a solid wooden table with air conditioning. Lunch service was fairly crowded, with work colleagues, Niwot business owners and restaurant regulars stopping in to enjoy an indoor meal. "I saw that they posted on Fa...
People strolling along Niwot's Second Avenue looking for a peaceful place to sit in the shade can thank their lucky stars that Chuck Klueber gives his time to Niwot. Klueber, who has been named the 2021 Grand Marshal of Niwot's 4th of July patriotic motorcade parade, is the quiet force in the background making sure that "streetscape" projects are completed in the town. The "bump out" patio in front of Old Oak Coffeehouse, allowing for inviting umbrella tables, chairs and trees, was one of the...
Niwot area farmer Colter Hoyt took to social media to try to encourage the return of a valued farm gateway decoration – a six-foot tall decorative rooster whose previous home was the gateway of his farm at 7180 N. 49th Street, west of town. "We bought him at a Tractor Supply in Buena Vista," Hoyt said. "He's not small, and it was really hard just to get him here. He just means a lot to us, and we'd like him returned." Custom repairs that were done after windstorms and other accidents, which p...
