All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Meet Barley This sweet and smart seven-year-old boy is looking for his perfect match, could it be you? Barley is a bright and mature fellow who has excellent obedience skills that include advanced leash manners as well as the ability to sit down and "place" on cue. Barley loves his treats and will get very wiggly when he is especially pleased or excited about them! Barley is looking for a home where he can be the only beloved pet and would appreciate a family with high school age or older...
Locals seem to be heeding the fervent advice of health experts to get a flu shot this year. The King Soopers pharmacy in Gunbarrel went through three batches of flu vaccines by the end of August, according to a pharmacy employee. That doesn't usually happen until early October. Public health experts are advocating flu shots more than usual, worried that the normal seasonal flu hospitalizations combined with COVID-19 patients could overburden the health system's ability to handle both...
Have you recently stepped outside to the smell of a campfire? Or been surprised to find your car covered in white ash? Or been shocked by the size of the setting orange sun? It's not the apocalypse, although the orange light does seem a bit eerie. It's simply the end of a hot, dry summer in Colorado. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as the summer of 2020 comes to a close, the entire state of Colorado is currently experiencing drought conditions. For the first time since 2013, 100% of the...
With the COVID-19 pandemic making in-person voting a health risk for many, the 2020 election will be conducted by mail-in voting on a wider scale than ever before. After recent mail-in primaries in New York and Florida that took weeks to count, officials in both presidential campaigns have raised doubts about the entire process and suggest the system is ripe for potential fraud, particularly from non-citizens. Evidence to date shows those fears might be unfounded, problems in the aforementioned...
This past month, a noteworthy change came to Niwot High School's football field. The St.Vrain Valley School District installed new lights to allow for later practice times and, ultimately, after-dark home football games. Niwot High School is one of three in the district that received new light installations, the other two being Longmont's Skyline and Silver Creek High Schools. According to Athletic Director Joe Brown, the three high schools were the only ones in the district that didn't have...
October is arriving, and it brings a chance for outdoor fun for the family. At this time in fall, we make the annual pilgrimage to pumpkin patches. Prowling in fields or rummaging through bins looking for the perfect Jack-O-lantern, we're all getting into the fall mood. Enjoyment is ripe for picking at many area farms, and local growers are holding their harvest festivals complete with orange, grey, white, warty, and giant novelty pumpkins. Hop on a hayride or test your skill at navigating a...
On Sept. 17, as Niwot finally enjoyed the cooler temperatures of a late summer afternoon, the doors opened at The Wheel House bar and café at 101 2 nd Ave in Niwot. The new gathering spot is an extension of Wheel Works bicycle shop, founded three years ago across the street. "Business in our old location did really well, and we made the decision late last year to move across the street," Eric Bergeson, who co-owns the Wheel House with his wife Tammy, said. "We actually started the move in Februa...
Amidst the current global pandemic, physical health is often at the forefront of many people's minds. But one facet of health and wellness that people may be neglecting is their mental health. The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. But in a year with unprecede...
Though most traditional fall events had to be shelved in 2020, autumnal-themed fun is still on the agenda in Niwot, courtesy of two brand new offerings from the Niwot Business Association. "In COVID times, more than ever, we need to think of different ways to get Niwot residents and those from neighboring communities to frequent the businesses downtown," longtime realtor and NBA vice-president Deborah Read Fowler said. "We are having regular meetings to brainstorm and launch new events to get us...
While this is not explicitly an Inkberry Book, it was a book recommended by one of the paper's readers. I've said before that I enjoy memoirs and expressed hope that I'd read more nonfiction, so I was excited about the chance to read Tears Run Dry, a memoir penned by Dr. Patrick Kalenzi of Niwot Veterinary Clinic. Kalenzi said, "I come from a tribe of cattle keepers and animal lovers in Uganda, that I was never going to be content doing anything but treating animals." When asked why Kalenzi...
The first snowflakes of the season fell like confetti for skiers and other winter sport lovers; a signal that it's time to get gear and bodies in shape. As ski season approaches, a Niwot business wants to make outdoor experiences better from the ground up. Boulder Orthotics does custom boot fitting for downhill and backcountry skiing, helping to solve the problem of ski boots that hurt or don't fit right. "An out of the box ski boot kind of fits like the box it came in," said Bob Egeland,...
The sorghum crop at the Diagonal and Niwot Road looks like someone having a bad hair day. Some of it is standing up, some sticks out sideways and the rest is flattened. Heavy wet snow combined with wind drove the stalks to the ground during the storm on September 9. As days passed, some of the grain has sprung back to life in varying degrees. The crop is causing farmer John Schlagel fits as he harvests the 130 acres this week. "It's a mess," Schlagel said. "It's awful." He expects to lose about...
It is a grand understatement to assert that life has been an interesting ride for 2020. Our food system and consumer behaviors during this time have made it through some challenging adjustments and still many Americans are food insecure. As summer fire and smoke abruptly gave way to September freeze advisories, it appeared our Northern Colorado outdoor growing season was coming to an end Sept. 9. But Mother Nature bats last and only low-lying fields suffered cold damage. This was a seasonal fake...
In 1993, President Clinton signed into law the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), with bipartisan support. Many have called the act historic since it allowed employees to better balance their work and familial responsibilities. It goes without saying that when someone accepts a job, they agree to: show up, be on time, and do their job while there. However, it also goes without saying that everyone has familial responsibilities that, to many, are equally important. So, with FMLA signed into law,...
Love is fickle, love is kind, love "is a many splendored thing." The idea of "love" has been written about numerous times, in countless ways, and now Niwot High School alum Daniel Fiamengo is writing that it's stupid. Or rather, that when talking about feeling in love, we sound somewhat silly. On Sept. 4, Fiamengo released his debut single "Stupid in Love." "The words [we use to describe love] are so ridiculous sometimes," Fiamengo remarked. "Sometimes we say things and it's like 'you wouldn't...
Before the coronavirus pandemic, the commercial real estate market in Niwot and surrounding communities in Boulder County was robust. While some properties such as the former Colterra restaurant have remained visibly vacant, generally the commercial market here sees low vacancy rates and high demand. The Courier checked in this week with Jim Ditzel, co-owner and founder of Summit Commercial Brokers in Niwot, for an update on the local commercial market. Summit Commercial is a full service commer...
Spontaneity is so 2019. In 2020, you have to plan ahead, especially if you want to visit Rocky Mountain National Park this fall to see aspen trees shimmering with gold coins or listen to the primal bugle of bull elk during mating season, which begins now and continues until about mid-October. Because of the pandemic, reservations are required and can be hard to get if you suddenly decide to spend a weekend day in the park or want to enter in the morning so that you can enjoy a full day. When...
Complaints are down and mask use is up on trails and Open Space properties, according to Boulder County Ranger Erin Hartnett. "We were getting a lot of calls from the public, like people from at-risk populations, maybe older people, people with underlying health conditions, who really wanted to be out on the trails and weren't comfortable with the lack of masks being worn," Hartnett said. That led to some "unfriendly behavior," according to Boulder County Public Health spokesperson, Chana...
When COVID hit earlier this year, the whole world seemed to be scrambling. Schools and businesses were shut down, all in an attempt to maintain social distancing and public safety; but a few businesses were able to stay open, including liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries. These businesses, which are deemed "essential" under state and local public health orders, were not open under the same circumstances as before. Marqis Griffin, the marketing manager for Wyatt's Wines and Spirits in south...
The craziness of 2020 can be quelled a wee bit with the reverent calmness of Chris Doyle's sunset serenades. The long comforting notes of his bagpipe feel like the entire community is taking deep healing breaths. We asked Doyle some questions to learn a little about his life story. Left Hand Valley Courier (LHVC) – What was your hometown and how did Niwot become home to you? Chris Doyle (CD) – I grew up on the east side of Cleveland and finished high school in Chesterland, Ohio. I went to Mus...
Colorado's first law addressing abortion was introduced by freshman Democratic representative Dick Lamm (who later served three terms as governor) in 1967, and legalized abortion in cases of rape or incest, or if the woman's mental or physical health was at risk. Moreover, women seeking an abortion could only do so up until 16 weeks of gestation and had to present their case for abortion before a three-doctor panel. The bill was eventually passed with bipartisan support and signed into law by...
The Boulder County Animal Control Unit has confirmed that a recent rash of raccoon deaths in Niwot was caused by canine distemper, a viral disease that is sometimes confused with rabies. "We have seen a lot of distemper in Niwot," animal control supervisor Sarah Spensieri said. "I know that I personally was out on Franklin on a call last week, and we also had one on CenterBridge and one on SpringHill. So they're kind of all over the place." Outbreaks of canine distemper are not a threat to...
After a summer of cancelations, on Saturday, Sept. 12, Niwot saw its second weekend of outdoor events with its second sidewalk sale. Merchants in Cottonwood Square and 2nd Avenue put up tents and welcomed customers into their shops, though with limited capacity. The weather even cooperated. Following the Friday, Sept. 4, first Art Walk of the year, the Sidewalk Sale was a smashing success, with most merchants giving the event a thumbs up. Liz Gould of Little Bird said that people were buying...
For over 35 years, the Firehouse Art Center has been the leading contemporary art center in Longmont, featuring national and local artists with over a dozen exhibitions a year. Founded in 1986, the center has been a cornerstone of the Longmont Creative District where it was started by local artists to create a space for artists to create as well as exhibit their work. "Our mission is to bring arts and culture to our community through education, exhibits and cultural events," said Elaine...
Leonard Sitongia is an essential worker, or more fittingly, an essential volunteer for the Niwot community. Even before Leonard and his wife Christine moved to their Niwot home in 2014, while waiting for their North Boulder house to sell, he stepped up to be an area representative for the Niwot Community Association (NCA). For the past three years, he's also been the organization's secretary. Hearing about his history, it's clear that connecting through community engagement is Sitongia's modus...
Need is everywhere. To fill that need, and as part of its ministry, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church's pastor Janet Kettering said an important part of the church's history is feeding those in need. Kettering said that there are many people in the Gunbarrel community who, while not part of an organized worship group, still want to help. In 2017, that energy was put to good use with a food drive. Pardes Levavot, the Jewish Renewal Congregation that also worships in the church building on...
The First Friday Art Walk returned to Niwot on Friday, Sept. 4, after a five-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. The town was bustling with perhaps the largest crowd out and about since the pandemic shut down much of the social life in Niwot and everywhere else in March. Moods were high, masks were worn, people were friendly, but socially distanced, and Niwot seemed to be returning to its usual community-oriented nature. Anne Postle, vice president of the Niwot Cultural Arts Associatio...
At their virtual meeting on Sept. 1, the Niwot LID advisory committee members got a preview of what could prove to be a very busy fall around town, with funding requests for a slew of upcoming events as well as plans to preserve the Native American tree sculptures carved by the late artist Eddie Running Wolf. Treasurer's Report LID Treasurer Bruce Rabeler went first with an update on the district's finances, though there was nothing new to report on the revenue side, as the Colorado Department...
The gray wolf, or Canis lupus, once was the most widely ranging land mammal on earth. Due to habitat loss, general fear, and hunting, its once widespread population has dwindled. The last native wolves in Colorado were killed in the 1940s and the gray wolf was added to the Endangered Species Act in the 1970s. There is currently one confirmed pack of six wolves and one lone wolf in Colorado, however these wolves are not believed to be sustainable long-term. There have been a number of attempts...
Gunbarrel resident Julia Williams has been an artist her entire life. A graphic design major at CSU, she has been wanting to paint a portion of the north side Lookout Road underpass for a long time. An opportunity to create her dream piece presented itself, "courtesy" of COVID-19. As the Courier reported in a July 15 article, The City of Boulder through its Boulder Creative Neighborhood Murals Program offers grants to support public art, especially local artists. Williams submitted several desig...
Local restaurants are hanging on thanks to an outpouring of support from the community, Boulder County grants, loans from the federal government and creative offerings. But the first yellow leaves of fall are creating fear for eateries that now depend on outdoor dining. "This is the really important piece; the community has kept us in business," said Michael Tomich, co-owner of Old Oak Coffeehouse in Old Town Niwot. "They have been incredibly supportive." "We have had an outpouring of support,"...
The ability to travel during COVID-19 may feel sidelined, but time travel is still possible thanks to the Niwot Historical Society's lecture series. Unfortunately, the annual NHS lecture series can't take place in person at the Left Hand Grange, so the organization has come up with another venue in which to immerse the public in local history. The first of three speakers will take to the internet in September with a lecture titled, "The Switzerland Trail, a Boulder County Railroad," presented...
This "beautiful" sunset belies a very dangerous fire. Taken on the Cottontail Trail in Gunbarrel, Saturday Sept. 10, the Cameron Peak Fire exploded to over 34,000 acres, growing over 10,000 acres over the weekend. Saturday's 101 degree temperature, added to the already tindery dry conditions. The fire, which started on Aug. 13, shot smoke and ash 40,000 feet into the air. Area residents have experienced extremely poor air quality, breathing issues as well as falling ash....
Thursday, Sept. 3, saw some activity by Burlington Northern on the 2nd Avenue crossing in Niwot. While there is no firm completion date yet, Andrew Barth from Boulder County Transportation said that the county was told the goal was to complete the project in August 2020. While that goal was not met, Barth thought they were close to completion. The Federal Railway Administration will be called in to inspect the work completed, once the mechanical parts are in place. The crossing at 2nd Avenue...
Since the COVID-19 crisis began, area churches and synagogues have responded with incredible nimbleness, creativity and generosity in meeting the heightened spiritual, communal, and practical needs of their parishioners. Many congregations quickly transitioned to live streaming their services to parishioners and the wider community, and some even have experienced an increase in attendance as a result. One local pastor attributed this increase to the fact that there is no travel time to and fro, and to the fact that now parishioners can...
As summer winds down, you might be looking for a few last outdoor adventures. And you wouldn't be alone. Labor Day weekend is prime time for outdoor recreation, as many families take one last trip before school gets going in full swing. But don't expect to find too much peace and quiet on your next outing, whether you are sticking local to Boulder County or heading somewhere else in the state. Colorado, and Boulder County specifically, is known as an outdoor recreation mecca. As the state's...
In a year when many business headlines aren't positive, Bootstrap Brewing Company, founded in Niwot, recently made a significant staffing and financing announcement. Geoff Hess, former Regional Director of National Accounts at CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective, will join Bootstrap's staff as the director of sales. In addition, Dale Katechis, founder of Oskar Blues Brewery, will join Bootstrap as an advisor and investor. The amount of his investment hasn't been specified. The good news spilled...
Back in the summer of 2005, Biff Warren, his daughter Katie, and a few other like-minded locals decided to dust off their band instruments and revive the time-honored tradition of live concert music in Niwot. In the decade and a half since, the band's popularity, its repertoire, and its name have exploded in size, while its unique musical stylings have become the soundtrack for the town's signature events. Needless to say, 2020 has been quiet for the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange...
The Boulder Symphony recently announced a socially distanced concert to be held Sunday, Sept. 13, at 6 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center at 6007 Oreg Ave. in Boulder. The hour-long performance will feature the Takács Quartet, a grammy-award winning string quartet. The Boulder-based group is made up of violinists Edward Dusinberre and Harumi Rhodes, violist Richard O'Neill, and cellist András Fejér. Executive Director of the Boulder Symphony Andrew Krimm said he looks forward to hosting the qu...
These aren't the kind of records that anyone is proud of: Denver hit a new high mark for 25 days over 90 degrees in August, Boulder had 18; the active Pine Gulch Fire is the largest wildfire in Colorado history. Last week, ozone levels were "extraordinary," according to Boulder County Public Health, a mix of pollution from fossil fuels and smoke from wildfires. And, as of last week, more than 93% of the state was in severe, extreme or exceptional drought. Climate change is getting personal....
The Rotary Club was founded over a century ago in Chicago, and since then, the organization has advanced to nearly every corner of the globe, including several local clubs in the Left Hand Valley and St. Vrain Valley areas. Rotary International is best known as a service organization, and their work on polio eradication is well documented, a hallmark of local Rotary clubs around the world, including those in the Left Hand Valley. A recent merger between two local clubs, the St. Vrain and the...
It is a truth that food brings people together-family gatherings, casual business meetings, and first dates often occur with some sort of dining experience. Even pop-culture recognizes the level of importance of restaurants. Famously, in When Harry Met Sally, Marie (played by Carrie Fisher) said, "Restaurants are to people in the 80s what theatres were to people in the 60s." Dining out has become more complicated lately, especially in light of COVID. In response, the Niwot Business Association...
Every election that occurs in this country is decided by popular vote, except one: the presidency. Instead, the presidency is decided by the electoral college, which allots a certain number of votes to each state based on population. To win the presidential seat, a candidate needs 270 of the 538 electoral votes. Colorado has nine. The electoral college was, and has been, hotly debated over time. From the 1787 Constitutional Convention, to a bi-partisan push against the electoral college in...
Kind hearted people see need in their communities and want to help, but a handful move into action to help solve problems too great for one act to overcome. The folks at Fresh Food Connect and Boulder Food Rescue felt the pull to take action years ago to combat hunger locally and throughout the state of Colorado. "We posed the question: if gardeners could participate in community hunger relief action, how can we make that happen?" says Helen Katich, CEO of Fresh Food Connect and co-founder of...
Meet Maxwell-This sweet and social eight-year-old kitty thoroughly enjoys being in the company of people and is looking for a forever home to call his own. He has a gentle demeanor and will surely enjoy relaxing with his new best friends. Maxwell will likely do well with another kitty given time to adjust as well as a polite dog in his new home. If Maxwell sounds like he may be a good fit for your cat-loving family, please call 303-772-1232 or email [email protected] for more information...
On Saturday, Aug. 22, about a dozen people gathered at the Niwot post office (150 Murray Street) to protest recent actions by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and "Trump Administration policies" related to the US postal service. The rally was part of a nationwide "Save the Post Office Saturday" event organized by the political organization MoveOn.org. Protesters from Niwot and other nearby communities waved handmade signs and called for DeJoy's resignation for about 30 minutes during the late...
The Boulder County Sheriff's Office is trying to figure out who vandalized two Boulder County Open Space properties last week where an estimated $100,000 of damage was done to utility vehicles, trailers and prairie dog traps. "I can't recall anything on any open space property to that level," said Carrie Haverfield, public information specialist for the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. "Unfortunately, we do see vandalism, but it's of the criminal mischief variety, graffiti, that sort of stuff....
Boulder Country Club has been moved to the list of resolved COVID-19 outbreaks by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, CDPHE. The Gunbarrel club had six positive cases, including employees working in the restaurant and a lifeguard. If an organization has two or more cases within a 14-day period, it must report that to the local health department. Boulder County Public Health was notified when the first two positive cases turned up in late June. The health department did contact tracing and worked with BCC on how to manage,...
I wish I were a painter. I think the immediate effects of that creative energy would be very rewarding. Sometimes that's what I pretend I'm doing when I garden, but in extreme slow motion, especially in spring when the entire vegetable patch is a blank palate. I delude myself that with patience, my subliminal artwork will mature into a beautiful, bountiful 3D canvas of produce first reaching for the sun and then gracing our kitchen. I've had nearly three decades of planting, watering, weeding, a...
By January 2021, two local fire districts will be merged into one. Mountain View Fire Rescue will absorb Rocky Mountain Fire District, with the combined district covering about 250 square miles, including areas in both Boulder and Weld counties. Last week, both districts hosted virtual town halls to spread the word about the merger and answer any questions from the public. In these town halls, MVFPD Chief Dave Beebe, who will be the combined district chief, addressed services rendered,...
