All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 2651 - 2700 of 3926
Jack’s Solar Garden will now have its place in the sun. On June 13, Boulder County Commissioners unanimously gave their approval for co-owner Byron Kominek to commence with plans to build the county’s first of its kind co-mingling of solar power and agriculture. The farm property, which has been in Kominek’s family for three generations, is located at 8102 N. 95th Street, Longmont. Commissioner Deb Gardner was the first to move to approve the solar garden, stating, “This is certainly the dir... Full story
Inviting tables covered in red-checkered linens, padded stools in a neat row at the renovated bar, and a pristine double-wide range and gleaming convection oven in the immaculate galley kitchen indicate the debut of Niwot’s Pinocchio’s Incredible Italian eatery is getting very close. Restaurateur Annie Vick said to expect the enticing scents of garlicky marinara and freshly baked cakes and brownies by the first week of July. Aside from a few finishing touches like the installation of back wal... Full story
The Lefthand Valley Courier is pleased to announce its new Pet Spotlight. Each week we are asking our readers to send in their cutest photos of their pet(s) accompanied by a short caption explaining what their pet(s) of choice are, what their names are and any other fun information you would like to share with our readers. We can only choose one photo per week for print, but we can display all the photos we receive on our online edition of the paper. This week the Pet Spotlight goes to Simba...
Niwotian Kelsi Singer is making international news as the 2019 Harold C. Urey Prize winner. The Urey Prize is awarded by the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Sciences to early-career scientists, of any nationality, to recognize and encourage exceptional accomplishments in planetary research. The winner must be either under age 37 or have earned a doctorate degree within the past six years. Singer, 35, was nominated for the honor by a group of scientists working with her a... Full story
Niwot Market’s Friday Night Dinners are back, bigger and better than ever. Comments from diners at last week’s dinner were a resounding thumbs up. Chuck, a regular at the dinners, summed it up well. “This is the complete package in that you get the music, the quality of the food and the overall spirit of our town. This is really the Niwot kind of chill.” The rave reviews never ended. Jim, another regular, poetically stated, “Just a great place to get together after a long hard day at work. The f... Full story
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, one in five adults in the US suffers with mental health issues. It’s estimated that 50 percent of those individuals also deal with addiction. Homelessness, deaths from overdoses and suicide, leaving educational programs, and chronic unemployment are just a few of the results of mental health and addiction issues. On May 29, Recovery Café Longmont (RC) opened its doors to anyone who needs help recovering from mental health or addiction pr...
Mountain View Fire Rescue, established as a special district in 1961, will be growing into a new 23,100 square-foot maintenance facility being constructed at 5322 County Road 7 in Erie, CO. The new building will provide much-needed space for MVFR’s staff to perform maintenance on its larger fire engines and ladder trucks indoors, out of Colorado’s unpredictable elements. Mountain View Fire serves Erie, Mead, Dacono, Niwot and areas of unincorporated Boulder and Weld counties. It also provides ma...
Toot-toot, all aboard the train of thought. Take a seat as it leaves the station, let’s see where it’s going to go. There was a tiny terrorist in my bedroom the other night, whining in my ear each time I started to drift away to dreamland. Thankfully, the siege didn’t last long, either because I successfully whacked it, or it wandered elsewhere. But in the morning I remembered it, and that led me to recall other times when mosquitoes and their ilk have taken nights of sleep away from me. Mexic...
Each moment is a new one and every growing season is unique. Here we are, two weeks into June in Colorado and it’s a remarkable season so far. We experienced the coldest May in 24 years. Most everyone is aware of the record snow pack up in the mountains this spring. Arapahoe Basin has 25 runs still open and ski and snowboard bums across the Front Range have broken out their Speedos and bathing suits for some late season spring skiing action photos. If you are seeing some funky symptoms on your t...
The Niwot Local Improvement District advisory committee held its monthly meeting on June 4. Treasurer Bruce Rabeler presented the LID’s latest revenue report from Boulder County, which showed that the district earned $16,406 in March, the highest total this year and the highest total for March in at least the past five years. Noting a similar total from February 2018 that is still in dispute, Rabeler speculated that this might be another case of a mistaken or misdirected deposit by the State o...
Last week, horticulturists from around the world gathered in Denver for the 12th annual Garden Bloggers Fling, a yearly meet-up of gardening bloggers, who spend three days exploring the host city’s horticultural hot-spots. On Saturday, the tour headed northwest to Boulder County, where nearly 100 gardening enthusiasts got a chance to tour some of the local area’s backyard paradises. Among the stops was the Niwot home of Scott and Paula Deemer, located near the Mountain View fire station. “It...
Fitness has always been a part of Niwot High grad Kristy Neary’s life but it wasn’t until attending a Training for Warriors summit that she decided to open a gym of her own. Previously, Neary, who graduated from NHS in 2000, worked a regular job and pursued her fitness goals on the side. She admits her personal fitness regimen was much more than the average person’s and she was always looking for something fun, rewarding and different than a traditional fitness routine. Eventually, Neary befri...
It isn’t exactly Hogwarts, but there’s something magical about Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, located just east of Niwot at 11968 Mineral Road. For nearly four decades, the CTRC has been providing equine-assisted activities (EAAT) and therapies to people with disabilities, and sometimes the results are nothing short of extraordinary, according to executive director Michele Bruhn. “Horses are very empowering. People can spend time with a horse, and they don’t feel judged. If someone has a di...
To the Editor: I am Winston The Pig’s mom and we would like to ask visitors to only bring an apple or a carrot when stopping for a visit. We have had problems with people feeding Winston other things and it has made him sick. We are also asking visitors to tell/make Winston sit before giving him an apple or a carrot. With all the visitors, he has become very snappy and greedy, and we need to curb this bad habit. We appreciate the love Winston gets to bring to people and the love he receives. E...
Twenty-eight artists, 59 completed people’s choice ballots, and three judges’ professional opinions have resulted in the winners for this year’s “Why Not Niwot?” Juried Art Show., sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA). Displayed at more than 15 businesses throughout town, the eclectic and imaginative entries illustrated what makes the town of Niwot inimitable. Following a musical performance by the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band at June’s First Friday Art...
This year, on what would have marked the ninth year of the much loved Jazz on 2nd Ave festival, downtown Niwot will be void of the wafting notes of trumpets, bass, drums, and saxophones. Craig Blockwick, co-founding director of the event, said that with the closure of Treppeda’s Ristorante, the location of the festival became a problem. While the organizers looked at a couple of other places in town to have the event, the given timeframe wasn’t conducive to either the necessary permitting or...
Debbie Lammers is this month’s Left Hand Laurel recipient because of her dedication to St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) and schools throughout Colorado. Lammers spent her formative years in Las Vegas where her father was a hotel executive. She was in seventh grade when her father passed away. Her family relocated to Northern California a year later. She attended California State University - Chico and then worked as a legal assistant and a paralegal for many years. She and Chris, her h... Full story
Boulder County seems to have a high concentration of talented, creative and accomplished people. Sometimes, we learn about them from the news, but once in awhile, they live in our neighborhood and we learn of their existence through the coincidence of daily routines. Enter Rich Alpers. You’ve likely seen his face many times on his real estate signs in Boulder County. Rich lives in Gunbarrel, and has been in Boulder for 30 years. But before he embarked on his career selling homes, he was an a...
Government officials in Colorado will have to be more transparent about closed-door executive sessions and other internal communications after the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that Boulder County violated the state's sunshine laws during the debate over development of the Twin Lakes Open Space. In a published opinion released in April, the appellate court reversed key portions of two rulings made by Boulder District Court Judge Thomas Mulvahill against Gunbarrel resident Kristin Bjornsen,... Full story
Niwot Community Association board members agreed at their June 5 meeting to try a different approach with Boulder County Commissioners to find a solution for fixing subdivision roads. County officials are in the process of adding a public health element to the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan. The proposed element includes a goal of “transportation pathways that are safe and accessible for all residents regardless of geography or transportation mode….” “I think we can approach transportation sa...
Conversion of Boulder County leased farmland to genetically modified-free zones has been extended by county commissioners for another two years for corn crops and four additional years for sugar beet crops. The highly-charged issue brought out concerned citizens and farmers, making for standing room only during the June 3 hearing. Fiddling with the genetics of the seeds isn’t the biggest issue. It’s the chemicals added to the seeds, glyphosates (found in Roundup) and neonicotinoids (ne...
Each year, the Niwot Chiefs Cool Car Club gathers in Longmont for its annual Cars & Coffee for a Cause event. Car enthusiasts from all over park their beloved automobiles in the Texas Roadhouse parking lot and spend the day marveling at other restored classics. This past Saturday marked the 4th annual Cars & Coffee for a Cause and drew an enthusiastic crowd. This unique event is the brainchild of Bill Shaffer, a local UPS driver who sought to make a difference and share his passion for classic...
It’s counterintuitive for us animal lovers to stumble across a seemingly stranded young wild animal, and leave it alone. Our motherly instincts kick in and we feel compelled to pick up that irresistible young creature thinking we just saved its life. According to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, (CPW) nothing can be further from the truth. Sharon Schaller, senior wildlife biologist said, “We are asking that the public take responsibility and play a part of protecting Colorado’s young wildl...
The family-owned Bank of Estes Park first opened its doors in the friendly mountain town in 1965. It remained a one-branch bank until 1994 when the family opened a satellite bank here in Niwot. Now, that branch is turning the big 2-5 and big changes are afoot, according to Vice President/Branch Manager Wanda Fisher. Most noticeable are the physical changes. In fact, the entire bank got a total overhaul, completely changing the interior and practically doubling its size. The bank took over part...
The first Rock & Rails concert of 2019, produced by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) and the Niwot Business Association, drew quite a crowd. Guests arrived early to grab spots in the shade and close to the stage. The sky set a pretty magical backdrop, its gentle sunset mingling with an approaching evening storm, which held off until after the 9 p.m. end of the event. There was a major difference between this year’s Rock & Rails and prior seasons, felt by volunteers and attendees a...
The skies over the Innovation Center were buzzing on Saturday, June 1 as dozens of remote controlled planes and drones took to the air during the first annual AeroFest, an open flight and competitive racing event hosted by students in the St. Vrain Valley School District’s aeronautics program. “As far as I know, this is the largest youth program that we’ve ever put together,” said Richard McCaskill of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, a co-sponsor of the event. “It was all put together... Full story
Niwot’s Caleb Bishop started flying tiny remote controlled drones when he was tiny himself, and as he’s grown, so has his passion for aircraft and avionics. Now a top student in St. Vrain’s aeronautics program at the Innovation Center, Bishop has proved adept not only at piloting complex unmanned machines, but in building and fabricating them as well. The rising senior will get a chance to hone his skills even further, after he was awarded a scholarship to attend the Academy of Model Aeron... Full story
There’s nothing better than a cold beverage on those hot summer nights at Rock & Rails, and this year, organizers are raising money to make getting one a little easier on concert-goers. Last month, the Niwot Business Association (NBA) and the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) announced that most of the proceeds from the 2019 series will be used to fund the construction of a permanent building in Whistle Stop Park that will be used for beverage sales, as well as storage of large items u...
So look, I don’t want to be a negative nancy, I really don’t. I would much rather talk and write about the abundant wonder and beauty of this world. But it’s impossible for me to think or speak about the development of the Front Range and put on a happy face. I think the most fundamental of all civic values, of the ideas that guide how we interact with one another, is to tell the truth. The basic unit of any successful, healthy, happy society, is that when I speak to you, you can trust that...
Edward “Ed” Parks Conilogue, 80, of Niwot, Colorado passed away May 29, 2019 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette. A lifelong Niwot resident, Ed was born Aug. 31, 1938 to Evart “Toots” and Annadell Conilogue, he resided on the property until his death. Ed graduated from Longmont High School in 1956, and proudly served in the United States Army and Army Reserve until 1963. On December 9, 1962, Carol Elaine Hall and Edward were married until Carol passed in 2015. They were married for 53 years. They continued a Conilogue Family tradition of li... Full story
Next fall, students and staff will notice huge changes when they return to Niwot High School. Renovations will occur both inside and outside the building. There will be new signage outside the school as you walk into the front patio entrance. Athletes will enjoy the newly resurfaced track. In addition, the tennis courts will be expanded from six to eight and refurbished. Inside the school, solar tubes will be installed allowing natural light to come in from the ceilings. The commons area will...
On March 2, Niwot United Methodist Church (NUMC) hosted its 23rd annual Soup, Soup and More community dinner. Each year, the church selects a local organization or charity as the benefactor of all funds raised. Proceeds from this year’s community dinner went to Boulder Attention Homes to help furnish the non-profit’s 40 new apartments in downtown Boulder. The Soup, Soup and More dinner was a success and event organizer, Janet Gates, couldn’t be happier. Around 80 guests braved the snowy eveni... Full story
This article continues a monthly series about the artworks and artists chosen for Community Corner at Sculpture Park at the corner of 79th St and Niwot Road. We pick up with “Aviator” and “Peacemaker” by artist Bobbie Carlyle. “Aviator” — featuring a young boy suspended in air while playing—has been in the Sculpture Park since its opening last fall. “Peacemaker” is the latest dramatic addition to the sculpture park, installed last month, and now greets visitors at the eastern entrance to...
Two years after its inception, the J.A.R.E.D. Foundation continues its march forward to bring music education to students who could use a boost. The organization, which stands for Join A Revolution, Educate Drummers & other musicians, was formed in the summer of 2017 by Surinder and Renae Dahiya and Jerry Lizakowski after their son, Jared Lizakowski, died in a motorcycle accident on NIwot Road in October 2016. The Dahiyas and Lizakowski wanted to honor Jared, who had been passionate about music...
Take one sunny Saturday morning in late spring, add a dash of pomp and circumstance, plus a handful of well-aged platitudes, then sprinkle liberally over 250 or so green cap and gown-clad teenagers, and you have all the makings of a perfect Niwot High commencement ceremony. Such was the scene on Saturday, May 25 as the Class of 2019 gathered together for a final time and marked the official end of their high school journeys. “I want to congratulate you seniors on a triumphant conclusion to y...
On May 15, the Boulder County Planning Commission unanimously recommended 8-0 that plans to build Jack’s Solar Garden at 8102 95th Street move ahead and be presented to the Boulder County Commissioners on Thursday, June 13. The first of its kind in Boulder County, the five-acre co-habitation of solar energy generation and agriculture is being proposed by Byron Kominek, a third generation owner of the farmland. Kominek successfully passed muster with Boulder County land use staff demonstrating t...
Sunshine and smiles were the order of the day at the Niwot High Class of 2019 graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 25. A good-natured throng crowded the hill above the football field to watch more than 250 seniors cross the stage and start the next chapter in their lives.... Full story
The University of Colorado Boulder’s 10th annual GoldLab Symposium culminated with the inspirational story of Mila’s Miracle Foundation (MMF) as told by Julia Vitarello, Founder and CEO of MMF, and Dr. Timothy Yu M.D., Ph.D. Local resident Vitarello and Boston-based Yu used a tag-team presentation to describe a profound scientific breakthrough in personalized medicine for Vitarello’s daughter Mila, and its far-reaching implications. Larry Gold, CU professor of molecular cellular and devel...
Colorado can boast the best of many attractions--the mountains and the vistas--and also some of the most unique. Our beautiful and strange state is also home to over 1,500 ghost towns. The research and documentation of these eerie spots is Michael Sinnwell’s passionate hobby and is on display for anyone with internet access. Sinnwell, a Niwot resident, first began exploring ghost towns when he moved to Colorado in the early 1980s, but he blames his interest in historical local oddities on his f...
Fly Away Home is celebrating two big happenings - the home décor business has landed in its permanent home at Cottonwood Square Shopping Center and will be offering the talent of another local business, Zone913. Kathy Trauner, owner of Fly Away Home, has signed a two year lease for the corner space that started out at first as a pop-up holiday season shop. A steady flow of customers getting hooked on the unique home accents proved to Trauner that there’s demand for the reasonably priced de...
Those of us new to the area may not know about the Niwot Garden Club that began in 1938 and disbanded in the late 1980s. Pat Murphy of Niwot Realty was a member for about 10 years. “The garden club started with a group of women who were very knowledgeable and serious about gardening,” Murphy said. “Most members had specific roles and duties and the club was very organized. They were very committed. They built the original gazebo whose replica remains at Whistle Stop Park today.” The founder... Full story
After a long, cold winter, Niwot residents are ready to get out and savor Colorado in all of its summer-time glory. Rock & Rails is back bringing entertaining performances to our community all summer long. Lovingly referred to as the neighbors’ largest block party, Rock & Rails provides tenured residents the chance to bump into old friends and catch up, while also giving new residents the perfect excuse to get involved and be a part of this great community. The 14th annual Rock & Rails kicks o... Full story
If you are one of the 120,000 property owners in Boulder County who have received a notice of property valuation in recent weeks, you are likely to have rolled back on your heels for a moment. The compulsory biennial recalculation of property values is close to 18 percent higher for Niwot residential properties than the previous county-assigned values. Niwot was on the high end of value upticks in the county, with the increases beginning at around nine percent. Although the demand for property... Full story
I miss the mall. It’s hard to believe that things have gotten to the point where I think of the mall as a progressive, community-oriented piece of infrastructure. But considering what’s replaced it, yeah the mall wins, hands down. The specific mall I’m thinking of was called Crossroads Mall, which used to occupy the area of Boulder known now as “29th Street.” It had two stories, several department store anchors and lots of small specialty shops: bookshops, music shops, poster shops, shoe shop...
I miss the mall. It’s hard to believe that things have gotten to the point where I think of the mall as a progressive, community-oriented piece of infrastructure. But considering what’s replaced it, yeah the mall wins, hands down. The specific mall I’m thinking of was called Crossroads Mall, which used to occupy the area of Boulder known now as “29th Street.” It had two stories, several department store anchors and lots of small specialty shops: bookshops, music shops, poster shops, shoe shop... Full story
Barb Van Winkle, Teacher Barb Van Winkle has worked for St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) for 31 years. She started at Niwot Elementary 24 years ago, where she taught fifth grade for a few years and then taught gifted and talented students for another 21 years. She said the students and parents in Niwot are wonderful. NES Principal Nancy Pitz said, “Barb has impacted thousands of lives throughout her teaching career. I will always remember her love for all students, her passion for the G... Full story
The small two-story red brick building at 290 2nd Avenue, now Osmosis Art and Architecture was originally a Seventh Day Adventist church. When the congregation of the church disbanded in the late 1920’s, the building was renovated into a residence by Harry Slater. That’s most likely when the bell tower sitting atop the structure was removed. Local historian Anne Dyni has a photo of the building in one of her books. The building’s present owner Anne Postle said, “Ever since I bought it and Ann... Full story
For more than 30 years, the Left Hand Grange has been a weekly hotspot for area bridge players. April marked the end of an era for Niwot’s Bridge Club when Jim Steele, the director of the Tuesday night games, died from injuries he received as a pedestrian in a hit and run accident. Steele, 82, was known as a man of many talents. He was an accomplished metallurgic engineer, a jubilant dancer, a performing poet, and an excellent bridge teacher. He was often spotted dancing at Rock and Rails events... Full story
A bear visited Niwot last Tuesday, May 14. First reported midday Monday in south Longmont, Colorado Wildlife officers weaved through the area with each report of a sighting, but were unable to locate him. Another call, at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, placed the migrating bear near Hover Road and Highway 119, but an officer didn’t set eyes on him until he’d spent some quality time hanging out in Niwot’s Overbrook neighborhood and his stopover was publicized on the Nextdoor app in the late afternoon. The b... Full story
A teacher’s job description doesn’t fit a set list of responsibilities, chronologically checked off and completed at the end of each day. In fact, the job description is ever-changing and unique to the day. Good teachers take on a variety of roles including mentor, advocate, or even friend during difficult transitions and personal hardships. Good teachers stay late, reinventing lesson plans and tirelessly answering parent emails. Good teachers return each day, patience renewed and ready to tac...
