All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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The December 11 issue of the Left Hand Valley Courier noted that Niwot's Legend Ridge trail loop had been completely resurfaced by Boulder County and reopened. The article quoted the county's trails supervisor as saying, "Our legal team could not find any information about the county officially accepting the trail, but since we have been maintaining it for 20 years or so, it would indicate that the county has accepted it." In contrast, the county's legal team already has the documents in hand showing that the county accepted responsibility to...
Dear Valued Customers: As I am sure most of you know by now, The Wheel House and Niwot Wheel Works will soon be undergoing some changes. The building where we are currently located was recently purchased by Cornelia Sawle, owner of The Niwot Inn. Coincidental to that, I decided I would not renew my lease due to expire mid next year (2025). I have very much enjoyed operating Niwot Wheel Works along with my dear friend and colleague, Fernando Tapia, over the past eight and a half years. And I have also enjoyed the past five years at our current l...
As I began to reflect on the last 10 years as a dentist here in Niwot, I kept coming back to my favorite and most gratifying detail - being a part of the community. The relationships that have been cultivated out of a shadow of a common phrase, "I'm scared of the dentist," have made me feel that this life and the connections to our community are just as important as the technical skill of my career. It is my hope that this column will be another way to connect to you and give insight into my...
Dear Boulder County Board of Commissioners, We, the Niwot Business Association Board of Directors, are following up on a letter submitted to the Boulder County Board of Commissioners late in September of this year. Now that the major municipalities in Boulder County have concluded their current deliberations concerning adjusting their minimum wage beyond what is required by the State of Colorado, we respectfully repeat our request that The Boulder County Board of Commissioners take steps to place us on equal footing with our neighboring...
As I reflect on the last 10 years as a dentist here in Niwot, I come back to my favorite and most gratifying detail - being a part of the community. The relationships that have been cultivated out of a shadow of a common phrase, “I’m scared of the dentist,” have made me feel that this life and the connections to our community are just as important as the technical skill of my career. Whether at Rock & Rails, our kids’ Niwot flag football game, or a Saturday morning coffee hello, I feel grateful for our small-town, big-hearted communi...
As I began to reflect on the last 10 years as a dentist here in Niwot, I kept coming back to my favorite and most gratifying detail - being a part of the community. The relationships that have been cultivated out of a shadow of a common phrase, “I’m scared of the dentist,” have made me feel that this life and the connections to our community are just as important as the technical skill of my career. Whether at Rock & Rails, our kids’ Niwot flag football games, or a Saturday morning coffee hello, I feel the need to express my sincere gratitu...
The term Bruxism is the dental word for a condition in which a person abnormally grinds and/or clenches his or his teeth. Bruxism is one of the most common forms of parafunction, or repeatable habits that cause damage or discomfort to our teeth, jaws and even muscles of the head and neck. Nighttime appliance therapy with a comfortable, custom fit occlusal guard made by your dentist can help protect against further damage to your teeth or existing restorations, allow triggered muscles to relax, and result in better sleep for you and your...
Dear Editor, Niwot has bears. If you didn’t know that from personal experience, you may not be that concerned, but it’s time to confront the fact. For our family the revelation came when my wife was checking our Ring cameras while we were on vacation. A shock was delivered when she cried out that there was a bear on our porch! Indeed, there was, and from then on, I did not think of our porch or the surrounding property in the same way. Whether you have had a similar experience or not, your perception of your surroundings should be put on hig...
Dear Courier and Niwotians: What a great 4th of July holiday our little town just put on! Like all the volunteer-run events that happen here, the pancake breakfast (Bert Steele's) and the parade with so many enthusiastic participants was a sight to behold! An estimated 1,000 plus people were served, and I'd guess double that amount were watching and marching in the parade. I heard several people comment on how special this event was, and how nice of the town to arrange such fun. Strangers that...
Editor's Note: Moosie is a six-pound, six-year-old yorkie from an Arkansas puppy mill, adopted by Niwot resident Sharon Blatchley from Farfel's Farm and Rescue in Boulder. As a rescue animal, she is very afraid of noises and strange places. On Sunday, June 16, Moosie went on a frightening adventure, one that ended happily 72 hours later. Her story provides valuable lessons for pet owners. Moosie and I were at my son's house on Burgundy Court in Niwot for a Father's Day barbecue. At around 8...
Many patients we at Niwot Dental chat with have a desire to change and lighten the color of their teeth. They want their teeth to really shine, and feel the pressure of societal expectations for that “Hollywood White” smile have only grown with the advent of social media. Many are hesitant to professionally whiten and when asked why, one of the most common responses we get is “because I’ve tried all the whitening toothpastes and rinses and they don’t work.” It is crucial to understand that while these products are commonplace and you are inu...
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are an interesting example of the way human skulls and mouths have evolved over time. Many dentists advise their patients to have their wisdom teeth removed, but why? Typically, wisdom teeth finish developing and make their presence known around 18-20 years of age. At this age, the body is quick to heal and wisdom teeth can be extracted with very little risk of complication or down time. That is the first reason why your dentist may have advised you or your children to have them removed. This is simply...
Dear Editor, One of my favorite things about living in the town of Niwot is how safe it is - in more ways than one. But especially, growing up here, I always felt so safe with the rules of traffic and how friendly everyone is. When I was living in Florida for six months on my Disney College Program, I didn’t have my car and had to rely either on buses or walking to the nearby Target. It was incredibly eye-opening how less friendly and more aggressive drivers are in other areas than they are in Niwot (and its surrounding areas). Whether I am dri...
One of the most common questions dentists and hygienists receive is some form of: “Why do you want me to come for my re-care appointments three or four times per year? My neighbor only goes twice! And my insurance only covers 2 per year!” We hear you, so here’s the gist of why: 1. You have been diagnosed with gum (periodontal) disease, a chronic condition where the normal germs in your mouth have contributed to the destruction of your gums and the bone which holds your teeth in place. The important part here is, there is no cure for gum disease...
Editor’s Note: The letter below was sent to the Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms by U.S. troops deployed overseas, and shared with the Courier. Good morning Niwot Cookie Momsters! A giant C-17 cargo aircraft delivered both of your boxes full of valentines cookies and treats yesterday evening (yes, they made it to the middle of the Desert!). The Christmas boxes were a giant morale booster for us, so seeing the Valentine's boxes caused a big cheer from the team! The little connection to home makes a huge difference for us. We have Colorado G...
Dear Editor, My name is Nikola Podolefsky. I am ten years old and attending fourth grade at Niwot Elementary. My school district does not let students have snow days anymore, but instead forces us to attend online meetings through WebEx. I have written this article to help people understand why this is so hard for students, and so that maybe this will change. Why Snow Days Should Come Back “Mom! Mom! It’s snowing! Get the sled!” “No, get your iPad, Online Learning Day.” St. Vrain has decided that all snow days should be spent attending...
I saw two Bald Eagles today. One was on a utility pole enjoying a lunch while the other soared over the open space field of stubble just east of Gunbarrel hill. What a joyous treat! Whenever I am fortunate enough to view an eagle, especially a Bald Eagle, I am thrilled and believe it is a symbol of a wonderful day. We just cannot put a price on the treasure of raptors and wildlife in our area. Boulder County and Niwot residents worked together to keep this gem where Chief Niwot and the Arapaho lived as a natural habitat. Whether it is money or...
Dear Left Hand Valley Courier, Mental health has become a much more prominent topic in recent years. There are more articles, news segments, self-help books, and overall discussion of mental health in the general media. All of which is great that our society is on the road to issues around mental health, but the discussion and action shouldn’t end there. Nor should mental health awareness only take place during May - it is ever present and can be an especially difficult thing to deal with. I am not a medical professional, but I have had my s...
While not indicated in every situation for every mouth, dental implants have quickly become the gold standard of care for replacing missing teeth or severely compromised teeth. Implants have come a long way since their popularization in the 1980s, and the cost has become largely comparable to the bridges and partial dentures of yesteryear. Did you know that a missing tooth can cause the drift and unstable “bite” of healthy neighboring teeth? Dental implants allow the remaining teeth, gums and underlying bone to remain healthy and fun...
Imagine a senior who is suffering from early memory impairment. He gets a urinary tract infection and is a bit delirious, not answering his phone. His daughter comes by to check on him. Because his infection is making him confused, he doesn’t recognize her. He thinks she is an intruder, shooting her with the gun that he recently bought, feeling unsafe alone in his home. Dr. Elizabeth Clarke, a geriatrician practicing in Denver and Guns to Gardens volunteer, notes that aging may be a time of incredible upheaval/transition and loss. Seniors may b...
Niwot recently lost two men who left incredibly large shoes to fill. Both men died unexpectedly in their early 70s, while still very much active in their businesses. Art Stapp was Stapp Interstate Toyota, once located in south Longmont, and now located east of town off I-25. Bert Steele was The Niwot Market, in Niwot’s Cottonwood Square Shopping Center. Though their businesses were very different, each, in his own way, left an indelible mark on our community. There were many similarities, though you might not think so at first glance. Both ran...
Are you tired of doom scrolling and feeling helpless? Are looking for ways to engage in local politics, but don’t know how? Well, look no further! The Young Democrats of Boulder County have so much to offer! We engage and advocate for liberal policies, have meaningful conversations with local politicians, host social/volunteer events, and provide resources on civic participation. Our current members have hands-on experience in the realm of politics, so feel free to ask questions and learn more about our Colorado governments. The age range to j...
Teacher Appreciation Teaching might sound like a fun job, but I watch my teachers and know they work hard to keep us safe and teach us what we need to learn, but are very unappreciated. Teachers have to deal with misbehaving students, plan lessons, grade homework and tests and get paid about $3,000 a month (not including the summer months unless they teach summer school). They often have to have more than one job to pay for their own home, food, and often, school supplies. So when Teacher Appreciation Week comes, take care of your teacher as...
Why I Walked On April 5th, myself and hundreds of other students walked out of class and lunch at Niwot High School to protest the epidemic of gun violence and school shootings that permeates across our country. Students had a variety of reasons for their action. Recently, the school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, provided an immediate catalyst for a walkout. These shootings have become not alarmingly common, but eerily pedestrian. Too often, these tragedies are discussed not as horrible, terrible crimes against humanity, but as if they...
Like many others, I am very concerned that no steps have evidently been taken to make the intersection of Colorado 119 and Niwot Road safer for pedestrians and drivers. Because Niwot has no real government, this matter seems to be ignored or just blown off by Boulder County. Sure, studies have been going on since at least 2014, but the proposed improvements are oriented toward RTD and bicyclists, not the 45,000 motorists who pass through this intersection daily, and proposed construction on the improvements is too far off. We need action now....
Dear Left Hand Valley Courier, I am writing in comment on Wandering Jellyfish's Drag Queen Story time, as published in the article "Drag Queen Story Time Comes to Niwot" by Biff Warren. Niwot has long been politically dormant. Due to its lack of mayor and place within the greater Boulder County area, this small country town of just over 4,000 people has managed to keep itself civil and strong in face of growing political division, and besides the odd Trump flag or Biden bumper sticker, this is how it was. Niwot is also the site of Niwot High...
2/23/23 Dear Left Hand Valley Courier, I am writing in comment on Wandering Jellyfish's Drag Queen Story time, as published in the article "Drag Queen Story Time Comes to Niwot" by Biff Warren. Niwot has long been politically dormant. Due to its lack of mayor and place within the greater Boulder County area, this small country town of just over 4,000 people has managed to keep itself civil and strong in face of growing political division, and besides the odd Trump flag or Biden bumper sticker, this is how it was. Niwot is also the site of...
With gas prices trending higher and expected to stay that way, the financially-troubled Regional Tribulation District (RTD) announced last week that it will eliminate bus routes between Longmont and Boulder in favor of a greener alternative. Launching on April 31, the Zip2Boulder system will take commuters from a 70-foot platform at the Niwot Park-n-Ride on a zip line to one of three stops along Highway 119 (the Diagonal). "When we told our accounting department to get creative about cutting...
A group of extremists concerned about onerous parking regulations in Boulder County briefly seized a residential block in the Morton Heights neighborhood last week. Calling themselves FREE CAR Niwot, the extremists barricaded both ends of Morton Road and declared an autonomous parking zone. "We just want to park our cars near our property, and not have to worry about how many inches past the property line we are, or when the street sweeper is coming by," a release from the group read. "Can't...
Organizers of the popular Rockin' Rails concert series announced that the new lineup will feature rap and hip-hop artists this summer. "The Sooper Bowl half-time show was so popular that we decided to save face and add some hip-hoppers and wrappers this summer," event co-manager Dan Eagle said. "We've asked our booking agent to bring in Snoopy Dog and M&M to oblige some requests from Mary J. We're ready for the next episode." "The classic rockers are getting a bit long in the tooth, and we need...
Do you like Rock & Rails? Have you ever ridden the Winter Park Ski Train? A summer version of that train may be coming to Niwot on Thursday evenings for our town's summer concert series. The word is out on Rock & Rails, and Denver music lovers are tuned in. At the moment, plans are still a bit up in the air, but the SBNF (Simply Beautiful Niwot Fun) rail plan is in the works, and it has the NACC's (Niwot Activity Community Club) basic approval. "The plan works on so many levels." one NACC...
Boulder County is at long last getting funds to pave orphaned subdivision roads. Money from the federal infrastructure law is being filtered through the county and distributed to individuals so they can pave the section of road in front of their residence. Funds are available to homeowners and tenants who live outside Boulder city limits. The exception is those who live on a major artery or school bus route. The county is already doing road repairs on those streets if, and only if, there is a...
Residents of Niwot and Gunbarrel, long overlooked by the powers that be in Longmont and Boulder, have begun to do something about it. The LOBO Trail, which reputedly runs from Longmont to Boulder and back, and seemingly uphill both ways, was named for LOngmont and BOulder. But you can't actually get all the way to Boulder from Longmont on a trail, as sections are incomplete as the "trail" makes its way through south Gunbarrel. You can get from Longmont all the way to Niwot, and from Niwot to...
Special thanks to the Inkberry Bookshop for recommending A Sea Change by local author Will Barnett. Something of note, Barnett wrote the novela as his high school senior project, and it was written, edited and published over the course of four months. There's certainly a youthful vibe to this book. In it, we follow Arthur, a high school senior who has become a recluse over the past two years. At the end of his sophomore soccer season, then-popular Arthur went to a party that ended badly. Ever...
It is with profound sadness and an incredibly heavy heart that I share with you the news that Cinder has crossed the rainbow bridge. Cinder was not my dog but was adopted on Jan. 16 and lost by his adopters when he bolted from their car without a leash. Our team of search and rescue volunteers had shared numerous posts all across social media and I had wanted to make sure those who had been following, those who had kept a watch out for him, those who expressed their deep concern for his...
March is Women's History Month. March is when women of all races, economic standings, religions, and sexual and gender orientations are celebrated for their hardships and victories in promoting equality and equity for all. It is hard not to be inspired by all the women who persisted under on-going threats of hate crimes and domestic terrorism. If you're interested in reading any feminist literature this month, here's a list of my personal favorites. First up, is one of pop-culture's favorite...
Partnering with Inkberry Books for these monthly reviews is always a pleasure, because I'm exposed to authors and topics I wouldn't usually choose for myself. This was certainly the case with Francesca Howell's book, "Food, Festival and Religion" (FFR). The book explores how some northern Italian communities experience renewal through various customs concerning food, costumes and other traditions. This tome is certainly intended for a specific audience, yet it may have some tidbits that will...
^%$# happens. We all know it, and a good Plan B is the best defense. Say your child wants to have an outdoor swim birthday party – in July. You’d still better have a back up plan, because while it won’t snow in the Front Range, you must consider the chances of hail and lightning with the accompanying hurricane force winds and tornado warnings. Planning a wedding and you think you have the vendors all lined up? You’d be advised to have a Plan B for that too, because you never know when the florist might wig out and end up living in a van, down b...
When Inkberry Books gave me a copy of Carrie Jane Knowles' new book, I knew I was in for a treat, but I didn't know that I was also in for a surprise. Her upcoming book "Shifting Forward," which will be released May 2022, is a nonfiction collection of essays from her Psychology Today column of the same name. A short read at just over 100 pages, Knowles reflects on life after 70, during COVID and, while none of her insights are "revolutionary," the way she writes about them is fresh and fun. Ther...
We live in an age of instant communication. Need to talk to a friend halfway around the world? Between instant messaging, texting and twittering no problemo. But for those of us who live in a small town, how much has all this technology really changed things? I contend, not much. People have always talked whether it was around the pickle barrel in the general store, on a party line or over the backyard fence. If there's a juicy piece of gossip, you know that it's going to spread in a nano...
ATTENTION FARSIGHTED PEOPLE OF AMERICA – Wear Your $%!&*^% Glasses. Who do you think you're fooling? No one. And you are doing nothing but aggravating all the people who either can see or who actually wear their glasses. Take a hint; it is easier to see, read, dial a phone rather than fumbling around either looking for glasses or making up excuses as to why you're not wearing them. I'm not embarrassed to admit that I wear glasses, although I can whip them off faster than a speeding bullet at t...
The importance of small community papers I recently viewed an excellent PBS documentary about the Storm Lake Times in Storm Lake, Iowa. One in four local newspapers have been shuttered in this country, many bought up by big national corporations. I love that Niwot has a local newspaper that keeps the community current on local news and events, including our talented high school athletes and all the amazing folks who volunteer to help make Niwot the friendly community we all enjoy. I love supporting LHVC and reading the paper digitally so I can...
My next-door neighbor's apple tree has an abundance of apples this year. This little apple tree is dwarfed by the gargantuan silver maple on the edge of my property. The two trees somehow also share the narrow space between our 70s-built ranch homes with a scraggly ponderosa pine and a bushy blue spruce. In normal years, this little apple tree produces a modest yield of somewhat wormy apples the size of ping pong balls. I usually leave them to the squirrels. But this year, the tree is laden...
Kids stink. Oh sure, they smell great when they first come out of the bath, but you have to remember why you put them in there in the first place. The problem is that just as the adult olfactory gets used to, or in our case gets burnt out in one range of odors, the kids grow some and a whole new set of smells start. Consider the harrowing story of one friend who had just brought their first-born home from the hospital. It was the dreaded 2 a.m. feeding. Mom made sure that baby was topped off and handed him over to the second string to finish...
To the editor: Thank you for the article about the city of Boulder LDAC. I agree that the residents of unincorporated Boulder County should financially support the public libraries they use. For the thirty years we have lived in Niwot we have enjoyed and been helped by the Longmont Public Library. I heard that Longmont has also talked about forming a library district. It is logical that Niwot would be included in Longmont’s district since we are served by the St Vrain Valley School District. I would like to be taxed to support the Longmont l...
To the editor: During our first visit to NIWOT my 82-year-old husband took a walk to the local market, sat down with a cup of coffee and worked on his Sudoku. Beside him was a group of young teens all eager to talk about school. Suddenly it went quiet and as he proceeded to leave, they gathered around him to APOLOGIZE!! for being so noisy, and not giving him the space and quiet and, proceeded to gift him with a muffin. WHAT AN IMPRESSION Niwot had on him. Bravo to the parents who raised these thoughtful teens. Says a lot about your community!...
I am not a princess. Really - despite any rumors you’ve heard to the contrary. My problem is that I’m just not a handy person. I don’t sew, decoupage, scrapbook, paint, refurbish or generally do crafts. Oh sure, when I was little, during the holiday season, my mother and I would make little things. One year I remember making a kaleidoscope, which consisted of a decal gingerly placed at the bottom of a baby food jar with some glitter. Hey, it was the mid-1950s - that was as high tech as it got. When things need to be done around the house, I usu...
If you're looking for a quick easy read, this book isn't exactly it. It's certainly quick and thriller-like, but it's so emotional, it's not quite that easy to read. Regardless, I'm very excited to bring to you my thoughts on Kim Triedman's novel, "The Other Room". This book has drama, it has love, it has pain, it's a solid read. Largely focusing on Claudia and her husband Josef, this novel follows them in the ongoing aftermath of their one-year old daughter Lily's death. Even after three...
The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect arises when natural environments are replaced with artificial surfaces such as concrete and buildings, which absorb solar radiation differently. When nature is built on, the benefits of natural evaporative cooling and carbon absorption are lost. In addition, the heat produced directly by new human activity in the area (including transportation and air-conditioning)creates “islands” that are warmer than the surrounding areas -- an effect that has major adverse effects. The Celestial Seasonings development (LU...
On Saturday, March 6, Boulder saw its first crack of warm weather for the season. As the sunny weekend day progressed, thousands of my peers from the University of Colorado flocked to the Hill neighborhood for an impromptu party. By the time the sun went down, that soon turned into a riot, complete with smashed cars, injuries and, as is typical in the times of COVID-19, lethal potential for a superspreader event. What would have been, in normal times, a day likely filled with innocent outdoor recreation, was instead a hotbed for an irresponsibl...
