All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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On Dec. 30, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced that residents aged 70 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine earlier than originally planned, but that doesn't mean it will be available right away, according to Boulder County Public Health officials. In a Jan. 4 press release that called the state's announcement "unexpected", BCPH spokesperson Chana Goussetis wrote that limited supplies of the vaccines, plus logistical hurdles mean it could be...
Across social media sites, pictures of smiling people and a variation of the caption "new year, new me," abound. But this new year celebration was unlike those of years past-there weren't big parties or big crowds, instead, most celebrations were more low key. Despite the change in how we celebrate the new year, people are still promising themselves a better future. Sometimes that's by resolving to be healthier, happier or maybe even just more self-aware. As Joanne Neville with the Southwest...
Longmont based HOPE, short for Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement, cares for some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Founded in 2007, HOPE has supported the homeless community with the end goal being self-sufficiency. The organization exists to fill people's most basic needs of shelter and food, in addition to providing forward momentum resources such as one-on-one advocacy. Gunbarrel resident Erin Hofer-Shall is an angel of HOPE. While that sounds very ethereal, she and...
Technically, there wasn't a special occasion, but it felt like one. Just going to dinner at a restaurant felt like celebration enough after not doing it for 10 months. We've been take-out and stay-home people during the pandemic, but we made an exception to try out Aperitivo Restaurant's new snow globes where we could dine in our own airspace. Three plastic globes arrived at the Gunbarrel restaurant just before Christmas. Owner Edward Vanegas ordered them in early November. "We were worried...
I started to write this article to soothe my nerves, as I sat in my car just prior to my COVID-19 vaccine appointment. I was eligible for it because of my part time work as an in-home care provider for older adults. I agreed because I want to do my part to stop the virus from spreading. Earlier in the week, when I first learned I was eligible and booked my time, those I told were excited for me. Some people even congratulated me. I was less enthusiastic. I'm not typically an early adopter of...
Native grasses can be used in a landscape either as specimen plants, or for a bluegrass lawn alternative or to create a native prairie landscape. While a native grass lawn or prairie landscape is not for everyone, they work well on larger lot sizes and acreages. Native grasses that are normally used for alternative lawns are blue grama, buffalograss and fescues. They have lower growth habits which makes them desirable for those who don't like to mow often. Other grasses that can be used to...
Design4Living is a new cabinetry and design company created by the owners of Porchfront Homes, Tim and Mary Coonce. After many years of experience with their building company, the Coonces decided the time was right to set up a comprehensive cabinetry and design business which enables homeowners to bring homes up to date with the best quality products, plus a design service that works seamlessly with an existing home's great features. Targeting homes across the front range, the business aims to simplify the process of remodeling older homes....
It's official. Mountain View Fire Rescue and Rocky Mountain Fire District have legally merged, according to an announcement from the newly merged district. "Over the past year the Boards and Staff of each agency worked together to create a community-oriented organization combining the programs of both agencies and creating a framework for the future," the district's press release read. "Through hard work and dedication, the merged Mountain View Fire District is poised to continue providing high quality efficient fire, rescue and EMS service to...
Meet Chunk! This handsome seven-year-old fellow is looking for his new best friend through Longmont Humane Society right now! Chunk is playful and affectionate and loves being in the company of his favorite people. Chunk is looking for a home with older children where he can be the only beloved pet, please. To learn more about Chunk or to make an appointment to come in for a visit please call us at 303-772-1232 today....
For over a decade, the Niwot Tavern has hosted a free Christmas dinner for those in need. This year, owners Tara Kpogoh-Narh and Stacy Szydlek have continued the tradition, but they've had to adapt. "[Former owner] Bob [Russell], it was kind of his thing and he passed away," said co-owner Stacy Szydlek. "We continued it on for him." In previous years, there have been multiple seating opportunities for people wanting to partake in the dinner--senior citizens were bussed in for one seating, other...
Marta Venezuela Moreno is like Santa Claus on a mission, her arms full of clear plastic bags containing goodies she's giving out to families and businesses in Longmont. But instead of toys, she's delivering personal protective equipment, thermometers, nurturing tea and information that could save lives and livelihoods. The care packages are part of a new public health messaging campaign targeting businesses and frontline workers who are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and suffering...
Beginning Jan. 4, 2021, select Boulder County offices and departments will be piloting a four-day work week for administrative, planning, and non-emergency walk-in services through at least the first four months of the year. While each of the six out of a total of 19 participating offices and departments will have some scheduling discretion in continuing a minimum 40-hour week for full-time employees, the intention of the pilot is to test out a Monday through Thursday expanded hours schedule with no public services available on Fridays....
The start of a new year typically brings a fresh effort to make better habits. People take part in fitness programs, eat healthier, and set lifestyle improvement goals. A community-wide New Year's focus on overall health, positive change and self-care? That's not so common, but it's taking place in Niwot. The effort, called Jump Start January, was organized by the same local group of business owners that meet weekly on Wednesdays at The Niwot Tavern. In response to pandemic-related challenges,...
As wishes for a white Christmas were foiled by 60 degrees and plenty of sunshine, folks continue to head to higher elevations to seek out snow. And while the current snowpack in Colorado is below average and snowfall has come in fits and spurts, the avalanche danger across much of the state is currently moderate to high. This includes some areas of Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rocky Mountain National Park, and other high alpine zones where locals might be headed to find fresh powder. These local...
The COVID-19 pandemic turned life upside down for most of us over the past 12 months, but it was especially hard on the local non-profit community, which saw its donations dry up as traditional fundraising events and activities were postponed or canceled. Fortunately, there's still time to help balance the scales as we count down the final hours of 2020. Among the many provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) passed back in March, was a change to an IRS rule...
Once holiday celebrations wrap up and 2020 comes to a close (hooray), it is time to start thinking about the new year. Are you someone who makes New Year's resolutions? For a lot of people, things like getting more exercise or keeping in better touch with loved ones tend to top the list. What about gardening resolutions? Whether you're new to gardening (welcome!) or a veteran with a proven green thumb, here are a few suggestions for your New Year's resolution list. 1. Try something new. If you...
I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays this year. It's been a hard and difficult year for a lot of people. With that being said, people don't need anything else sad happening to them. The last thing I want for anyone is to get that knock on the door and being told a loved one has been killed in a crash. So, this time we are going to talk about safety when it comes to curves. We have a lot of them throughout the state so I know everyone has experienced them, but a lot of us are not doing...
Meet Chico! Chico is a 1-year-old Bull Terrier/Cattle Dog mix. He is super friendly with people AND other pups. This sweet guy is looking for his forever home and hopes that you'll give him a second look. This cuddle bug gives great kisses and has a smile that will melt your heart. Chico is currently being fostered through Boulder's own Farfel's Farm Rescue. For more information on Chico or other dogs available for adoption, please go to their website farfels.com or give them a call at (303)...
This past month, Niwot's Bootstrap Brewing received some positive news to finish out its year. The brewery medaled three times in a pair of some of the most well regarded beverage competitions in the country: the U.S. Open Beer Championships and its counterpart, the U.S. Open Cider and Beverage Championships. In the beer competition, one of Bootstrap's most well-known beers, Wreak Havoc Red, took home gold in the Imperial Red Ale category. As more of a welcomed surprise, the brewery's newer...
Clear skies allowed for wonderful viewing of the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn Monday night Dec. 21. This is the first such event since 1563. While the planets appear to be very close, they really aren't. The event is called the great conjunction, because it is the rarest conjunction, when Jupiter overtakes Saturn, that can be seen with the naked eye. The photo was taken at the Sandstone Ranch by Brian Kimball of the nonprofit Longmont Astronomical Society. To learn more about area...
Boulder Housing Partners is now free to close a real estate deal to buy a property for an affordable housing project in Gunbarrel. But concerns about the development were centered more on the process of the land use change, rather than whether it's a good site for affordable housing. Last spring, Boulder City Council allowed the city planning staff to move forward with a proposed land use change after the deadline had passed. At the council meeting last week, citizens and some council members...
According to a witness at Niwot Jewelers, besides disabling the vehicle, damage was limited to the two chairs and some holiday lights on the property. The crash also left behind spilled motor oil after the car's engine was damaged....
Like many first-time business owners, Stacey Slupik didn't know exactly what to expect when she started her flower farm business in 2020. What started as a passion project for Slupik, a mother of three who discovered flower farming in her search for a fulfilling creative outlet, quickly grew into a way for Slupik to share her newfound love of home-grown flowers with the local community. Unknowingly, she picked a year to start her flower farm when people were actively looking for ways to bring jo...
Each year, the Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms send out special holiday care packages to military members stationed overseas, hoping to give those away from their families a little reminder from home. They have no expectation of being recognized or thanked, but they often receive notes like those below from grateful soldiers, sailors, and airmen who appreciate being remembered this time of the year. Received in thanks for the Halloween care packages, mailed in late October: Good afternoon! My name...
It is often most difficult to feel happy or excited, at times when everyone is pressured to do so. The holiday season has always marked a time of joy, peace and hope; thus, it is expected of everyone to share such sentiments. However, amidst all of the polarization of this year caused by the global pandemic, widespread riots and one of the most divided elections in U.S. history, it is sometimes difficult for any individual to exhibit the traditional spirit of the holidays. There are two obvious...
Last month, Lorne Jenkins, a former Niwot resident and CEO of Mini Money Management, was named to the Board of Trustees for the Longmont Community Foundation, a public charity dedicated to "improving life in the St. Vrain Valley." "It was kind of a no-brainer for me," the former Cougar track star said of his decision to accept LCF's invitation. "I'm joining at a unique time because it pretty much is primarily Covid-based, and the basic things are planning around what's going to happen with...
American fiction writer Lorrie Moore said, "A short story is a love affair; a novel is a marriage. A short story is a photograph; a novel is a film." While Niwot resident Gabriel Merithew's ultimate goal is to write and direct a feature film, this past November he said, "I decided to put aside the novel I'm writing so that eventually, I would be able to do it justice. I had reconnected with a good friend Emma Schaefer [who did a 30-day songwriting challenge] and I was very quick to use that to...
Meet Sugar. She is a SUPER friendly and sweet, three-year-old Carolina Dog mix. She is currently residing at Bowhaus through the Bowhaus2ANewhaus foster program. She is loving pets from the staff and playing with all the other four legged friends. Farfel's Farm, a local Boulder rescue will be handling her adoption. If you are interested in meeting this lovely girl please call (303)443-7711 or visit farfels.com for more information...
The Christmas holidays may be a lower-key affair this year, so what you serve on your table can bring festivity back into the day. The pressure is on for cooks, and but you're not sure what to have to make your menu extra special, the answers could be closer than you think. The Niwot and Gunbarrel areas have their share of exceptionally talented chefs, mixologists, and even a world class cheese supplier. Some of them were willing to share their expertise so that your meal is everything you want...
Those hit hardest by the pandemic are not often the most vocal, the most visible. A group of eleven people from disproportionately affected communities are sharing their experiences to bring awareness and invite solutions to help the most vulnerable get through these hard times. The COVID-19 Community Task Force was formed in August as a way for Boulder County government and local nonprofits to better understand the daily realities of those who were being most impacted. The group gets together...
The coronavirus pandemic forced churches across America to close their doors. The shutdown caused church leaders to look towards different platforms to spread their message. Many churches switched to online platforms like Facebook to live-stream Sunday services, including Niwot United Methodist Church on Lookout Road. Reverend Emily Kintzel was appointed as the new pastor of Niwot UMC on July 1, 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. Pastor Emily entered the role while the church still struggled t...
December has brought a range of new art to the walls of Niwot businesses. These micro exhibits give needed visibility to regional talent during the holidays, and the exposure is appreciated by both the artists and community members alike. This is the case for Amanda Maldonado, the artist currently featured at Winot Coffee. Maldonado shared that her style has grown a lot in 2020 and that she's leaning more towards community-based work. "I wanted to find a way to feel more connected to the rest...
We're in the home stretch of the holiday shopping season, and for those of you with a few names left to check off your gift list, be sure to consider one of the dozens of unique items from the artists, authors and crafters that call Niwot and Gunbarrel home. Niwot in watercolor Niwot's historic downtown is a frequent subject of resident and renowned artist Jane Langdon, whose graceful style evokes warmth and nostalgia. Recently, her wintry depiction of 2nd Avenue was featured on the Niwot...
Last Thursday, the Boulder County Commissioners held another meeting to discuss Article 12 of the Land Use Code, which essentially updates regulations related to oil and gas development. No additional public testimony was taken as it had been allowed at previous meetings throughout the year. Many of these previous meetings were attended by Niwot High’s own Environmental Club, and the group was even mentioned by Commissioner Elise Jones later in the meeting. “We hear you,” Jones said. “Many of you [not just the NHS environmental club, but ind...
Look out NYC! You've got some competition for most festive holiday window displays! Take a stroll down 2nd Avenue or peruse the shops of Cottonwood Square in Niwot and you're sure to feel the Christmas spirit! Almost all of the businesses have donned their windows with glittering demonstrations of festive cheer. While 2020 has dealt us a Christmas season that only Ebenezer Scrooge would enjoy, the Niwot business owners aren't about to let the holiday magic slip away! In an effort to keep the...
In previous articles, I have written about the damage rodents and small mammals cause to your landscape plants, but larger mammals such as deer, elk and bobcats can damage landscape plants too. Deer and moose are browsers, meaning they predominantly eat forbs (broadleaf plants) and shrubs and trees but also graze grasses. Elk are mainly grazers but browse forbs and shrubs when grass is lacking or unavailable. Fruit trees such as apples are a favorite browse. These mammals can also use your...
Meet Lana & Curly. This pair of five-year-old kitties are a very bonded pair that are looking for a new forever home together! Both Lana & Curly are very sweet though they are feeling a bit shy here in the shelter. They would love to find a quiet home where they can be given time to settle in and adjust to their new family. Lana & Curly would prefer a home with older children and will likely do well with another cat or a polite dog in their new home. Call (303) 772-1232 for more information or...
A 40-acre property west of Niwot has been eyed by Boulder County for years, prized for its views along the Diagonal Highway and for its agricultural use. This week, it is being recommended for purchase as open space, pending approval by the Boulder County Commissioners. The Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC) earlier recommended the purchase. The land is west of the Diagonal Highway, south of Oxford Road. Some of it abuts the highway directly and a portion is west of the Kilt Farm on...
Owners of Niwot Tavern are conducting their second annual coat drive to help the homeless as the holidays approach. The inside lobby, once filled with people, is currently filled with boxes of coats, hats, blankets and hygiene essentials, all to be donated to organizations with less support. "We try to deliver to places that don't get as many donations," co-owner Stacy Szydlek said. "A lot of the well-known shelters get overloaded with donations while the smaller ones are left without, so we do...
At the final monthly meeting of 2020, the Niwot Local Improvement District's Advisory Committee met virtually to consider two funding requests related to marketing and economic development in 2021. Treasurer's Report But before the fun could get underway, the board heard from LID Treasurer Bruce Rabeler with an update on the district's finances through the end of November. To date, the board has approved $254,303.08 in funding requests in 2020, including $101,512 for the public parking lot....
This wonderful Familiar Face suggestion was courtesy of co-owner of the Niwot Tavern, Tara Kpogoh-Narh. Kpogoh-Narh wrote, "Jennifer Morrison lives and breathes Niwot. She is a local who helps support everyone...small businesses in Boulder, Hygiene and Longmont. She's just amazing. She's always advertising for everyone. I'm sure you've seen her posts." The posts Kpogoh-Narh is referring to are on a public Facebook page called Nifty Niwot. Kpogoh-Narh added, "She brings Stacy [Szydlek, co-owner]...
Boulder County is seeking applications for three openings on the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee, a nine-member independent board that "prioritizes expenditures of the LID sales tax revenue," and makes recommendations to the county commissioners, who serve as the board of directors for the district. The Niwot LID was formed in 1992 and was authorized to collect a half-percent sales tax to pay for street, drainage and other improvements in Old Town, beginning in 1993. In...
It is hard to find such a wide variety of interests and talents in one person, let alone see them all come together in one book. But Niwot resident Sandi Siegel has combined her love of yoga, mythology, modeling, and the Sanskrit language to create a new coffee table book, "Sanctuary Song." It's based on a poem written between the years 700 and 750 A.D. and features the Hindu goddess Tripurasundari. "This particular story is set to the three stages of a woman's life. The daughter, mother, crone...
A recently published book is an ideal gift for local history lovers to find under their tree. Erik Mason, Curator of Research at the Longmont Museum, has published the coffee table book, "Longmont: The First 150 years." The book, Mason's first, includes both carefully researched text and nearly 300 images. Many of the photos were made available when the museum received custody of the Longmont Times Call's photo archives in 2015. Compiling the book took time. Mason began his research and writing...
You've probably heard of "no-shave November," which raises awareness for cancer research, but have you heard of "new-song November"? Instead of a charitable campaign, it's a creative one in which singer-songwriters challenge themselves to write a new song every day of the month. Niwot resident Emma Schaefer, who graduated in 2018 from Shining Mountain Waldorf, was one participant this year, after seeing posts about it online for the past few years. "I learned about this challenge from Lily...
Since the COVID-19 pandemic escalated in March, it has been a rollercoaster year for Niwot's Boy Scout Troop 161. Despite the challenges associated with running a troop during a pandemic, Head Scout Master Bill Dickens' group has adapted with ease. After halting operations for over a month in the spring, Troop 161 shifted to remote mode with virtual meetings. Dickens said the troop was mostly quiet over the summer and missed its planned trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. When Boulder...
From simple pleasures to outright splurges, the season for giving is upon us. As you rush to buy gifts for your gardeners, stop to consider what type of green thumb they have. This will help you narrow down your choices in making that small purchase go a long way to happiness. Experienced gardeners are a little harder to shop for since we have the basics. But that doesn't mean we don't like a load of manure. A big pile of poo would have appalled my mother, but I think it's a very sweet gesture....
Niwot's 2020 holiday celebration continued last weekend with the Niwot Holiday Market and WINC Holiday Fayre. Cottonwood Square and 2nd Avenue were decked out for the occasion, including this joyful ice sculpture by Ice Cubed, which stood in front of Adam Robinson's Seven Wealth office at 240B, 2nd Ave. Carolers and musicians entertained shoppers with holiday standards, while Santa and Mrs. Claus took gift requests outside the Left Hand Grange. The festivities will continue on Dec. 12, with the...
Meet Ryan This adorable senior fellow is looking for a forever home of his own through Longmont Humane Society Right now. Ryan is eight years old, and possesses many of the qualities that we all appreciate in older dogs; he is a good listener, has wonderful house manners and is happy to relax and nap while you get along with the business of your day. Ryan has been enjoying the comfort of a loving foster home while he waits to meet his perfect match and here's what they have to say. "Ryan is a sw...
The Niwot Patriotic Cookies Moms have been hard at work since Thanksgiving, packing up goodie boxes for the Christmas mailing to the troops. Julie Breyers' 3rd grade class from Niwot Elementary school provided wonderful pictures and notes, as did others. Each of the 28 boxes eventually sent out included many home baked treats, as well as a holiday letter from the group, and a copy of the most recent Left Hand Valley Courier....
