All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 1927 - 1976 of 4144
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...
For Carissa Mina and Jerilyn Patterson, books are magical. "They're worlds within pages, full of possibilities." This belief inspired the duo to become the proud co-owners of The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop. The name of the shop is inspired by the picture book Mina and Patterson are creating. After five years of considering the idea and a year of social distancing, the two women finally started to set their plan in motion. Mina and Patterson met years ago as volunteers with the Society of...
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...
Sarah Cioni is synonymous with beautiful flowers, arranged in stunning arrays that create a perfect ambience for weddings and other important life events. After leaving Niwot four years ago for California, where she worked her floral magic with some of Hollywood's well-known stars, Cioni has returned to her roots in Niwot with a new shop, Belle Terre Floral, located in the runway of Cottonwood Square. Cioni left her mark on Niwot with her former business, The Painted Primrose, also in...
It's possible to feel the past when you walk down Niwot's historic 2nd Avenue. In a few days, residents will be able to celebrate it with a commemoration of the building at 124 2nd Avenue, which was first built as a historic blacksmith shop in 1921. On Saturday, June 26 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., the building's current occupant, Angie Miltersen, owner of Few of a Kind Vintage + Mercantile, is marking her building's centennial year, and her own first year in business. "I'm turning one and the...
After being delayed during much of March, April, and May due to permitting issues at Boulder County, construction of a public parking lot west of downtown Niwot is moving forward, and could be completed by the end of June, according to representatives from the Niwot Business Association. "By the end of the month, it all should be pretty well wrapped up," Chuck Klueber, head of NBA's streetscapes committee said. "We just have a few more things to get done, and it shouldn't take very long."...
While touring Blessings Day Spa (7960 Niwot Road, B9) during its grand opening celebration on June 19, more than once I found myself fantasizing about undergoing a treatment in one of its sumptuous rooms, my anxieties abandoned for a few hours at least. That's how welcoming the surroundings are at Niwot's newest oasis of relaxation, tucked into a cozy corner of Cottonwood Square. A big part of that is owner Julie Stenz, a 14-year Niwot resident and registered aesthetician, who played a very...
Looking for a fun way to celebrate Independence Day this year? Now you can kick off the 4th with a celebratory run down Niwot Road. Brand new for 2021, the Niwot Downhill Mile will feature a mostly downhill course starting at Niwot High School at 8 a.m. and finishing at Niwot Market. After the race, participants can enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Market until 10:30 a.m., along with local vendors before the motorcade kicks off at 11 a.m. Registration starts on the day of the race at Niwot...
It's not easy being a high school coach, and baseball and softball coaches have extra duty to keep their programs running. While many sports run off-season programs, only baseball and softball coaches also must maintain their fields of play, as well as installing and maintaining improvements such as windscreens, bullpens, batting cages and warning tracks. School districts mow the grass, supply some watering and provide baseballs. But baseball coaches often can be found before and after games and...
Diana Wartburg, Twyla Barrett and Patty Strecker pack donated goodies into red, white and blue boxes decorated by Michelle and Hattie Steege. The packages are destined for military bases overseas, and any deployed troops marking American holidays away from their families. The Cookie Moms prepare and send packages for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, and, naturally, Independence Day. Among the treats were homemade baked goods, a popular addition that is frequently mentioned in thank you notes...
We are already deep into June, but did you know that this month is Colorado Pollinator Month? And June 21-27 is National Pollinator Week? The City of Boulder celebrates Pollinator Appreciation Month in September, and countless other communities have their own festivals and events to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators. What is pollination and why is it important? Simply put, it is the transfer of pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma of another...
Meet Jake. This fun-loving seven-year-old fellow loves people of all ages, and is looking for his new forever family through Longmont Humane Society right now! Jake has an easy- going and goofy personality, loves going on walks, playing with toys and being with his people. Jake is looking for a home where he can be the only beloved pet though this loving boy will provide all of the kindness and companionship you could possibly need! Interested in learning more about Jake? Please call 303-...
A new restaurant is dipping its toes into the dining waters at Boulder Reservoir. Driftwind opened with concessions on June 5 and is slowly ramping up over the next weeks and months to include special events, facility rental and, eventually, regular dining overlooking the reservoir. "There is something special about being by a large body of water," said Driftwind Manager Avara Yaron. "It's comforting, soothing. We're providing meals for people in this beautiful atmosphere." The waters have been...
In the mid-1980s, a group of local farmers dreamed of having a market, and the Boulder County Farmers Markets (BCFM) non-profit was born. These markets have expanded in the past few decades--what began as trucks unloading produce onto a few tables has expanded into markets across the county, showcasing more than 150 vendors. However, the market does not just provide an opportunity to support local business, something that residents enjoy. "I love the fact that you can get out here and support...
After missing 2020 due to the pandemic, "Dancing Under the Stars" made a triumphant return to Niwot's Cottonwood Square on Friday, June 11. A robust crowd of enthusiastic dancers turned out for the group salsa session, including longtime Dancing participants Jules Cazedessus and Mark Read. "This is the first time I think we've been in a group of people even a tenth of this size for a year and a half," said Read. Dancing Under the Stars resumes on June 18 at 7 p.m. with swing...
After careful consideration, two wild turkeys decided not to get their feathers trimmed after pecking around at 79th Street and Niwot Road on June 9. The pair later stopped to inspect a nearby flower pot before heading off into the grassy area west of Cottonwood Square....
In honor of its 25th anniversary, Jan Kahl and Jason Scarbrough of Niwot Jewelry got together with new neighbors Pinocchio's and Ivy & Thistle for an overdue celebration on Saturday, June 12. The family-friendly festivities on 2nd Avenue included music, drinks, treats, and prize drawings....
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...
On June 7, Niwot Boy Scout troop 161 held its spring 2021 Court of Honor ceremony at Whistle Stop Park, where they awarded merit badges, inducted six new Eagle Scouts, and recognized longtime scout leader Bill O’Donnell. “Bill loved all the young men he mentored over 28 years,” wrote Kathy Koehler of the Niwot Historical Society of the ceremony. “If you needed anything scout-related you contacted Bill for so many years - such a proud part of our Niwot community.” According to Koehler, Bruce Gri...
Softball was not added as a high school sport for girls in the St. Vrain Valley School District until after the 1991-1992 school year. Although the Boulder Valley School District had added a girls softball program at the high school level in the late 1980s, it took an effort by area high school girls and volunteer coaches to convince the St Vrain Valley School District that there was sufficient interest to add softball to the sports available for girls in the district. In the fall of 1991, teams were formed at Niwot, Longmont, Skyline and...
When we see a plant and it is prickly, we automatically assume it is a thistle and therefore it is a bad plant. The Oxford Dictionary defines a thistle as "a widely distributed herbaceous plant of the daisy family, which typically has a prickly stem and leaves and rounded heads of purple flowers." There are 20 thistles native to Colorado and they are desirable plants? Thistles are in the Asteraceae, sunflower (daisy) family. So, resist the urge to pull every prickly plant you see on your...
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...
India has been reeling from the effects of COVID-19, with more than 338,000 deaths and nearly 28.5 million cases as of June 1. Although the country is on the other side of the world, some people in the community refuse to accept that living so far away means they're powerless to help. Some Niwot community members have organized a trivia and curry night fundraiser for India at Niwot Wheel Works, 101 2nd Avenue in Niwot, on Monday, June 14. Proceeds from the dinner will be donated to support...
The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee held its latest monthly meeting virtually on June 1. The meeting was chaired by newly elected vice-chair Eric Bergeson in the absence of new chair Scott Firle. Treasurer's Report LID treasurer Bruce Rabeler was also not present, but submitted a written report of the district's current finances to board members in advance. In March, the Niwot LID earned $19,348, down from February ($20,935), but up 22% from March 2020 (12,639), and 18% from...
Starved concertgoers were refreshed and refilled by the return of Niwot's famed Rock & Rails concert series on Thursday, June 3. Attendees not only were entertained by opening band Pacheco & Bower and headliners Mojomama, whose self-described "funky blues rock" had the crowd up and dancing, but also by the fact the day marked the premier of the new Depot building at Whistle Stop Park, which replaces the old beer tent. Niwot resident Joe Pacheco, who teamed up with Loveland resident Billy Bower...
Meet Hobbs. This sweet and shy four-year-old kitty is looking for his new forever home through Longmont Humane Society right now! Hobbs is a very gentle and easy-going boy who likes to get to know new people at his own pace. We believe that Hobbs would do well in a home with adults who are cat-savvy and will allow him the space to go slowly as he acclimates to his new surroundings. Hobbs loves head scratches and snuggling once he gets to know you and will likely do well with another cat or...
Ed Nuhfer has become a familiar face over his cumulative 17 years in Niwot thanks to everyday walks with Zion, his dog, and the time he regularly spends at local establishments such as Winot Coffee and Garden Gate Café doing work on his laptop. We wanted to hear a bit of Nuhfer's life story, so we asked him a few questions. Left Hand Valley Courier (LHVC) - Where are you from, and besides Niwot, where have you lived? Ed Nuhfer (EN) - I'm originally from a small town on the Ohio River,...
Niwot High School Boosters, Inc., is a non-profit parent organization that supports all activities at Niwot High School, from cross-country to chess club, from marching band to musicals. Although booster clubs were historically organized to support high school athletic teams, Niwot High School Boosters, Inc., has been active in supporting all student extracurricular activities. You will often see parents and students from an unrelated activity selling concessions at a football or basketball...
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...
The year 2019 saw the end of Boulder's iconic Dancing Under the Stars after 35 years of offering free summer dancing nights in the middle of town. That same year Catherine McHale, a member of the local dancing community herself, decided that it shouldn't completely disappear, it should just move to Niwot. "I saw a Facebook post of the original organizers who said they had to cancel it... They hadn't managed to get an agreement with the city," she explained. "So I approached Cottonwood Square...
When you hit a major business anniversary there's reason to celebrate. When owners open two businesses in the middle of a pandemic, there's a different reason to celebrate. Adding it all together results in the triple celebrations taking place next weekend for Niwot Jewelry & Gifts, Pinocchio's restaurant and Ivy and Thistle hair salon. Over the past few months, Jan Kahl and Jason Scarbrough, co-owners of Niwot Jewelry & Gifts, took the lead organizing the event in honor of their store's 25th...
This month's recipient of the Left Hand Laurel is Shana Oehmke, uber-parent volunteer at Heatherwood Elementary School (HES). Living just three blocks away from the school for the last 15 years, the Oehmke children had an easy commute to HES; Henry is a third-grader this year, Charlotte is in seventh grade at Platt Middle School, and Amelia is a sophomore at Fairview High. HES school office manager Marlys Lietz wrote, "Shana has worked hard to keep our school finances in order and has been...
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...
