All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 3170 - 3219 of 4144
Colorado has rocks that, well, rock. They are called lithophones, and a local archaeologist who first came across these strangely shaped stones 40 years ago is finally sharing their musical story. Longmont archaeologist Marilyn Martorano first laid eyes on the long, baguette-shaped rocks almost four decades ago, as a volunteer at what is now Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in southern Colorado. The clearly hand-shaped stones, which had been discovered in the area, were housed in the... Full story
Nationwide, results of the highly anticipated 2018 midterm elections had a little something for everyone, but that was not the case in Boulder County. Locally, democratic candidates received large majorities, as did ballot measures supporting election reforms and oil and gas industry regulations. Here is a look at some (unofficial) results of particular local interest. On average, registered voters in Boulder County cast their ballots at a higher rate than their counterparts elsewhere in... Full story
Inspired by Niwot’s “wonderful” holiday decorations coordinated by the Niwot Business Association, members of the Niwot Community Association board decided at their Nov. 7 meeting that they wanted to contribute to the town’s holiday ambiance by adding some decorations at the west entrance to town along Niwot Road. “The decorations in Whistle Stop Park, our trees and throughout town are just beautiful, but we know the budget is already prioritized and plans are in place at this time,” NCA area 3 representative Pat Murphy said. She suggested t... Full story
On October 24, 2018, Mr. Jessie Slepicka asked Ms. Jenna Carlson to continue their adventure in life by becoming his wife and moving to a yet to be decided state as he pursues his PhD. (She said yes!) Jenna is the daughter of Ms. Traci Carlson of Colorado and Mr. Jarrit Carlson of South Dakota. Jessie is the son of Jerry & Marsha Slepicka of Niwot. Jenna is a 2014 graduate of Rapid City Stevens High School and a 2018 graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. She is currently employed as... Full story
When the last of the harvest has been pulled from the garden, it’s time to put those beds to, well, bed. Preparing your garden for winter will make for healthier, heartier plants and soil next spring. If you put in a little extra work now, it will pay off once the weeds usually make their appearance when the weather warms. Believe it or not, weeds don’t wake up in the spring. They start planning garden domination during the quiet winter months, when no one is giving them a second thought. Fir... Full story
Poverty is a very real, yet complex issue in Boulder County. The federal government considers the poverty level to be a family of four living on $25,000 or less a year. In Boulder County, however, that family of four would need to earn over $86,000 a year to pay for all the things needed to raise a family--housing, medical care, food, transportation, clothing, taxes and all those necessities that add up. Every year, the Boulder County Circles Campaign presents a poverty simulation event that is...
Colorado is a beautiful place. It is filled with open, wild spaces, and that unbridled nature is why many of us live here. With open, wild spaces comes wildlife. Lately, our local news has been filled with sightings of mountain lions and foxes in our own backyards. Much of this is attributed to human development encroaching on their habitat. As winter approaches, they need to hunt a lot now to survive later. Learning how to coexist with these non-domesticated critters is essential if you’re a pet owner. CATS Most cats love to be outside, becaus... Full story
Niwot’s Economic Development Director Catherine McHale welcomed a crowd of over 30 people to the dedication of nine pieces of public art installed at Community Corner, at the intersection of Niwot Road and 79th Street. “We wanted it to be accessible to people, something they can experience,” McHale said. “We tried to choose pieces that fit with the community. All pieces are available for sale, but should be here between six and nine months.” The Sculpture Park Committee, consisting of McHale, A... Full story
Shortly before her family went to Boston early this year for Mila Makovec’s experimental treatment of Batten Disease, Mila’s symptoms worsened to the point that her mother, Julia Vitarello, thought she might be losing her daughter to the fatal genetic disease. The quantity and severity of seizures Mila was having skyrocketed to 30 times a day for two minutes at a time. Seven-year old Mila slumped forward most of the time, was losing her ability to hold herself up when standing and walking, and... Full story
Two Boulder law enforcement agencies are investigating a string of “smash-and-grab” burglaries that occurred at seven area businesses in the overnight hours of Tuesday, Oct. 30, and at least one more on the night of Nov. 5. Three businesses in the Cottonwood Square shopping center (7960 Niwot Road) in Niwot and four businesses in Gunbarrel’s King Soopers shopping center (6565 Gunpark Drive) suffered damage to glass windows or doors, and an unspecified amount of money and property was also stolen... Full story
Halloween is an exciting time for most children - running through the dark streets with friends, knocking on doors, getting free treats, and being someone else for one day a year. And two local community volunteers believe it’s a day that should be available to any child who wants to participate, regardless of whether or not their family can afford a snazzy costume. Leesah Patt and Peri Shaplow met over a post on the NextDoor social media app, quickly connected and after a short phone call, got to work to make their latest community effort a r... Full story
More than two dozen people stepped up to the microphone in the Boulder County Commissioners’ hearing room on Oct. 30 regarding a temporary halt of development in downtown Niwot. The commissioners could vote to maintain, modify or rescind the moratorium they initially approved on Sept. 20. Dale Case, Boulder County Land Use Director said his department’s recommendation was to uphold the six-month moratorium on development in the Niwot Rural Community District (NRCD), but with the exclusion of... Full story
A close friend of Joyce and Victor Johnson’s brought them to the attention of the Courier, knowing the couple would be interesting to profile in our Familiar Faces column. They’ve made the most of the area by building strong friendships, strolling around town, and enjoying local restaurants and businesses. Their love for each other and the community are inspirational and heartwarming. Here’s a glimpse into their lives. Can you give us a little background on yourselves and how you met? Vic Johns... Full story
This past August, Jennifer Shannon, owner of Cornerstone Farm, relocated her riding lesson and horse training business to the corner of Airport Road and Highway 119, in the Maple del Nero facilities. Shannon has been teaching and training since 1996. The previous business location on Nelson Road was where Shannon taught for over 12 years. “I have always been horse crazy and was probably seven years old when I started riding lessons with a friend,” Shannon said. Riding now for over 35 years, Sha... Full story
It’s that time of year again, when the Left Hand Valley Courier features those who look to the future—the educators of our children....
Communities within St. Vrain are thriving and leading the way as Colorado continues to build and attract the top workforce and companies who want to call our thriving state home. St. Vrain Valley Schools is the educational home to more than 32,000 of Colorado’s students, with every school and feeder system committed to providing exemplary programming. While all schools share a high standard of excellence, as a district of choice, St. Vrain Valley Schools readily embraces a systemic approach t... Full story
Boulder County residents are fortunate to have so many excellent options to choose from when it comes to education. The St. Vrain Valley School District, the Boulder Valley School District and an ever-increasing choice of private schools in Boulder County consistently rate above all state statistics in achievement. While we weren’t able to feature every educational option in Boulder County, the public and private schools profiled in this special section present a variety of primary and secondary educational choices to explore. Whether y...
Boulder Country Day has intentionally chosen to focus on preschool through eighth grade and we believe it is among our greatest assets. We firmly believe that a PS-8 school environment offers distinct advantages during the most critical years of a child’s intellectual, social, and emotional development. From the teachers we hire to the welcoming and safe campus environment to the curriculum we teach, our configuration allows us to focus on the unique needs of children ages 2.5-14 without the d...
This Halloween, the ghouls and goblins of Flagstaff Academy will be some of the healthiest trick-or-treaters around town, and also some of the most generous. Flagstaff students are encouraged to take part in an initiative created by the school’s Dragon Wellness Committee. The committee, part of the PTO, created this year’s Candy Climb in an effort to encourage healthy habits and activities. Spurred on by parents Tami Beaton and Jodie Popma, the initiative is a contest to get each student to don... Full story
This is a “Big Year” for Niwot High School’s fall theater production. Only once every few years does an NHS production have a live student orchestra accompanying a big name musical. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” will take to the stage Nov. 8 through 11 starring a cast of nearly 50 actors. NHS drama teacher and show director Erin Anderson described the production as elaborate and glitzy. The Broadway version, updated in 2013, has songs that will be completely familiar, but the charact... Full story
On Tuesday, Oct. 23, the Niwot LID Advisory Committee welcomed county commissioners Cindy Domenico, Deb Gardner, and Elise Jones to the Left Hand Grange for a “very timely” discussion of the state of local affairs during the past 12 (or so) months. Ordinarily used as an opportunity to showcase the town’s recent successes, this year’s presentation to the commissioners was fraught with anxiety about the county’s development moratorium, which was scheduled for a public hearing on Oct. 30. Ackno...
Editor’s note: Niwot High senior Hailie Johnson is eyeing a career in journalism and will be contributing to the Courier from time to time during the school year. She profiled her grandfather and great-grandfather and their efforts to maintain the Niwot Cemetery for this article. The Niwot cemetery is a historical landmark that has been around since the 1800s. It all started in 1881 when Nancy Hindmans’ great-grandfather Jerome Gould donated the 1.74 acre parcel to Niwot for a cemetery aft...
Owner of shuttered Colterra restaurant, Bradford Heap, announced that he is seeking to rebuild the fire-damaged restaurant in an expanded and perhaps mixed use format. While attending a Niwot community meeting held by Boulder County Land Use staff on Oct. 17, Heap said that the county’s statement that the plans to rebuild his restaurant were approved and “ready to go” was fallacious because he was unable to meet the county’s requirement for additional parking spots. Boulder County Land Use Dir...
Niwot's 21st annual Great Pumpkin Party was held on Saturday, Oct. 27. Featuring a dog costume contest, parade, and haunted house, this year's event attracted hundreds of visitors to Old Town and Cottonwood Square....
Cheryl DeLong of DeLong Design is parlaying her expertise in decorating and staging for real estate sales into offering home holiday decorating. As autumn sets in and Halloween is approaching along with other end of year holidays, her season is just heating up. DeLong expanded her design services, because clients and friends pointed out that upcoming social and family gatherings celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, and ringing in the New Year are all reasons to hire an experienced decorator....
Niwot Dental, owned by Dr. Adam Saeks for over 13 years, is sponsoring a food drive to benefit OUR Center in Longmont. The public is encouraged to drop off non-perishable items at the Niwot Dental offices through Dec. 15. Donated food will be delivered to OUR Center, a non-profit, for distribution to clients. OUR Center serves to help the working poor, seniors, disabled, and homeless members of the community by providing those individuals or families with food, resources, and services to make ends meet. Kim Schwartz, office coordinator at...
Technology seems to have suppressed the ability for many of us to connect with our fellow human beings. Standing in line used to mean starting conversations with strangers and waiting for the bus gave us time to know our neighbors. Those opportunities to connect have been replaced with the all-too-common scene of 10 people waiting for the bus, with nine of them staring at their phones. But what if our phones and computers could bring us back to finding friends and making those everyday, human...
NextDoor, the social media app designed to build communities, has about 833 members in its Heatherwood division. Any member who is paying attention will notice that one name shows up over and over again—Leesah Patt. It’s not because she’s complaining about negligent neighbors, or trying to pick a fight over political viewpoints. When Leesah Patt’s name shows up, it’s because she’s offering to do something for folks in the community. Leesah lives in Heatherwood with her husband, Gavin, in t... Full story
A rainbow has many symbolic meanings attached to it—one of the most common is that of prosperity and good luck—which makes it a fitting symbol for the eQuilter logo that now sits atop the company’s brand-new location on Spine Road in Gunbarrel. Luana and Paul Rubin started their online quilting supply business, eQuilter, in their basement in 1999. Within 60 days, they had exceeded their three-year business plan, and had to find a bigger space to rent. Now as eQuilter moves toward its 20th anniv... Full story
Ridgeline Development Corporation has filed a request to begin a second phase of development in Niwot Hills Subdivision, located on the southwest corner of Niwot Road and 95th Street. The proposed preliminary plan calls for seven single family detached homes to be built beginning in the spring of 2019. Markel Homes Construction Company plans to build “some of the homes” according to the plans submitted. The original plans for the development were filed in 1999 and a total of 46 lots were app...
Earlier this year, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) tasked Boulder County Land Use staff to review and amend present agricultural land use code. Last updated in 2012, several designated areas of the code were identified as being in need of revision. In a letter to stakeholders and interested parties, Boulder County Land Use stated that several departments within the county “conducted an outreach project aimed at gaining a better understanding of the needs and issues of the agricultural community in Boulder County.” Based on the inf... Full story
Second Avenue property owners vent frustration Early opposition gave way to a more cooperative spirit at a public meeting to discuss the temporary moratorium on new development applications in the Niwot Rural Community District (NRCD), held at the Left Hand Grange on Oct. 17. Dozens of Old Town residents, business owners and community members showed up to express their concerns to Boulder County Land Use Director Dale Case and his staffers, either about the six-month ban itself, or about the...
Residents of Niwot showed up in force at the community meeting to both question county officials and for many, to hold their ground regarding what their preferences are for development within the business district of their town. For the residents on 3rd Avenue, many of whom have lived in Niwot for several decades, two topics were high priorities: the county’s process around the development and the moratorium and secondly, the sanctity of the alley between their homes on 3rd Avenue, and the m... Full story
Retired Niwot social studies teacher Douglas Duffy was recently diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer, and now his friends and family are inviting the community to come lend their support. On Friday, Oct. 26, Bootstrap Brewing Company (6778 N. 79th St., Niwot) is hosting Drafts for Duffy to honor the longtime educator and coach as well as raise funds in anticipation of upcoming medical expenses. “We knew the community would want to support him in a fun way,” Niwot High counselor Leah Mes... Full story
In a little over a month, Niwot United Methodist Church’s choir will be performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) saw one of the local choir’s performance videos on YouTube, and contacted Choir Director Liz Olsen with the exclusive invitation. The request came out of the blue, but was met with great enthusiasm. “We’ll be performing a Christmas cantata at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 18,” Olsen said. A cantata is a vocal composition with an i... Full story
The first cold snap this fall found many of us appreciating the warmth inside our homes and offices, during the cold, damp weather. Many of us find ourselves waiting with “bated breath” and crossed fingers this time of year, hoping that our trees will be spared from an early snow or severe deep freeze. Perhaps you found yourself on the phone in a last-minute plea to have your irrigation system blown out ahead of freezing temps. Luckily, for now, we were spared that heavy branch breaking sno... Full story
Niwot Historical Society’s Now and Then lecture series will present a 157-year history of the Boulder County’s Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) titled, “Bootleggers, Jail Breaks, Bank Robberies and Heroes” on Wednesday, Oct. 24. Calling themselves “two tired old veterans” with a combined 80-plus years of experience, Dr. William McCaa, a retired captain of the BCSO and Phil West, a retired division chief of the BCSO will present the fascinating legacy of their forefathers in the department and compare t... Full story
Niwot is throwing its biggest costume party of the year when the 21st Great Pumpkin Party takes place on Saturday, Oct. 27. Children of all ages, dogs of all breeds, and scarecrows from every field are invited to join in the celebration on 2nd Avenue and in Cottonwood Square. Supported by Niwot’s Local Improvement District, through the Niwot Business Association, and organized by Pat Murphy, owner of Niwot Real Estate, the event has become a much anticipated annual tradition. All activities are... Full story
International Baccalaureate programs, offered to kindergarten through high school students, aim to go beyond basic curricula by developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people. In the Middle Years Program (MYP), students are at the center of their learning. They draw connections between all subject areas, participate in a world language, and learning is explicitly linked to the world around them. The MYP has at its foundation the focus of helping students learn how to learn by...
There are traits that the male and female genders share, and many things that differentiate the two. And while some traits are fluid and can be present in either, there has been enough research to tell us that when it comes right down to it, boys and girls learn differently. Dr. Michael Gurian wrote a New York Times best-selling book on that very subject 10 years ago, effectively changing the conversation about gender differences in learning, and providing a guidebook for parents and teachers...
North Carolina-based author David Greenson will read his short story The Biggest Salmon Barbecue in the Galaxy at a reception to celebrate winners of the 2018 Summer Short Story Hackathon, on Saturday Oct. 20 from 2 - 5 p.m. at Niwot’s Inkberry Books (7960 Niwot Road,Suite B-3). Launched by Boulder’s Owl Canyon Press earlier this year, the literary Hackathon provided an opening and closing paragraph, and asked contestants to craft a story in-between, up to a maximum of 50 paragraphs. Bor...
Owing to a surprise six-month development moratorium imposed on Sept. 20 by the Boulder County Commissioners for the Niwot Rural Community District (NRCD), Bradford Heap, owner of Colterra Restaurant, a mainstay in the Old Town commercial area, stated, “The moratorium is preventing me from reopening [Colterra] and that’s what I know. That’s a fact. I can’t go into the particulars, but there are a lot of things.” Colterra, which opened in 2005, suffered fire damage to the kitchen in early mor...
Community Meeting for Boulder Land Use Code Update: Niwot Rural Community District Boulder County is seeking public input to shape the Boulder County Land Use Code related to the Niwot Rural Community District (NRCD), which includes property along 2nd Avenue from west of Murray St to Niwot Rd. Staff will provide an overview and answer questions about the moratorium on new development. The primary focus of the meeting is to gather community feedback and public comment to inform the revisions to the land use regulations for the NRCD. More... Full story
Store manager Brandon Chisam may look familiar because he is a longtime resident of the Left Hand Valley area, and has been working at Gunbarrel Liquor for many years. Considering his friendly, helpful and polite demeanor, if you’ve ever stopped in for a bottle of red or a six-pack of Colorado’s finest, chances are, you’ve run across Brandon. Left Hand Valley Courier (LHVC): Where are you from? Brandon Chisam (BC): Independence, Missouri. LHVC: How long have you been in this area and what broug...
We need to reach people “where they live, work and pray.” This recommendation came from Ellen Goodman, former Boston Globe columnist and founder of The Conversation Project in Cambridge, MA. She was talking about ways to spread the word about the importance of talking about what matters to you at the end of life. Studies show that over half of us will need to rely on others to make treatment decisions. A faith community partnership in Gunbarrel is holding a 5-part series entitled, “Th...
September 2018 was a big month for Flagstaff Academy Preschool. The program reached its 10th anniversary, and it also achieved a level five quality rating from Colorado Shines. Colorado Shines, a Colorado Department of Human Services and Department of Education free resource, enables families to find licensed programs in their communities that are committed to offering quality services. Using a comprehensive approach to evaluate early learning programs, the organization looks at health and...
If you grew up in America, chances are you’ve had at least some exposure to Mickey Mouse and his creator, Walt Disney. It’s more likely that a larger part of your childhood, and your children’s childhoods, has been influenced by the imagination of those pioneers who were at the forefront of creating the cultural phenomenon that is the world of Disney. On Oct. 18 at the Left Hand Grange, Niwot resident Laurie Algar will share a unique insider’s perspective on what the early days of the Magic K...
For 25 minutes on Oct. 5, students at Sunset Middle School walked, jogged or did something in between to raise money for some exciting events coming up during the school year, as well as some much needed supplies and equipment. “We’re hoping to sponsor a student dance,” said Assistant Principal Mary Ellen Graziani, who also did her share of jogging for the day. “We’re also looking to continue expanding our IB program through professional development and buying more technology for the classroom...
In the wake of the Boulder County Commissioners’ temporary moratorium on new development applications in the Niwot Rural Community District (NRCD), the Niwot LID advisory committee welcomed Land Use director Dale Case and his staffers, Jose Ruano and Denise Grimm, to the Oct. 2 meeting to discuss the wider implications of such a ban, as well as the next steps in the process. They also considered a funding request, elected a new slate of officers, and discussed the agenda for the upcoming m...
Wednesday, Oct. 3 marked the last day for Bell, Book, Candle and Coffee (BBCC) at its Niwot location at 198 2nd Ave. Christine Lucas, who opened BBCC in June 2016, said earlier that she plans to continue the business, but has not secured a new location. Lucas, a longtime resident of the area, said she opened the store with her retirement savings, moving it from the Boulder Airport and expanding her merchandise offerings so that it would be the “department store” for the town. Inventory was ver...
