All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 51 - 92 of 92
To the editor: What can you do about air pollution and the spread of COVID? Many people believe that since wood smoke is a natural substance, it is not harmful. However, smoke from wood stoves and fireplaces is a major part of today's air pollution problem, worsened by increased wood burning with working and schooling from home during COVID. Wood smoke contains tiny particles and gases that can have serious health effects when breathed. When people use wood stoves and fireplaces, chemicals are released into the air. Some of these chemicals are...
Your digital legacy is the electronic data that is left behind when we die. In today’s technologically immersed world, it is more important than ever to think about your digital legacy as part of estate planning. This contemporary topic raises two threshold questions. Do your family members and/or designated Personal Representative under your will know how to access your information after you have died? Leave a list of instructions, including passwords, for that trusted individual. What accounts should be deleted versus preserved? Your t...
Dear Editor: This note is being sent with heartfelt thanks to this thoughtful and giving Niwot community. Recently our hotel provided housing to several firefighter and incident command crews that were working on the CalWood and Lefthand Canyon fires. These crews came from Utah, Montana, Kentucky, New Mexico and other parts of Colorado to help protect our homes and woodlands. The Niwot community reached out to our guests in so many ways including meals, homemade cookies and even warm hats/mittens as our weather turned very cold. Comments from...
Much to my surprise, I tested positive for COVID-19 in October. We all know of the highly contagious nature of the virus and unfortunately, I must have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yes, I am a 20-year-old college student attending CU Boulder, but I live with my parents in Longmont and limited myself to a small group of friends. Colorado’s cases are skyrocketing and unless you build a hut in Antarctica, odds are you’ll be exposed eventually. Despite this belief, it was still a shock when my turn came. Sometimes life doesn’t go your...
As the fires burn on we are faced with the reality of our world today. As we have felt the smoke collecting in our lungs, irritated eyes, difficulty to breath, and the inability to leave our houses, there is nobody that can say they haven’t experienced the first hand effects of manmade global warming. We must reflect and find the effort and will to fight for the health of our futures and the planet and assure our politicians and their policies do the same. One of the issues of the heart of the climate crisis and inside Boulder County is f...
Small towns like Niwot are an endangered species throughout the US. For a small town to survive or even thrive, is heroic. What makes Niwot different? Our Voice, which speaks to us weekly, is a large factor behind Niwot's success. Our Voice reminds us that Niwotians' are really a special breed. Our Voice reminds us that unlike other towns, we volunteer and govern ourselves. Our Voice helps us celebrate our volunteer leadership associations with fancy nomenclature that make things happen, like the NBA, NCA, NFL, NCAA, LID, and not so fancy,...
The CalWood and the Lefthand Canyon Fires have impacted our community. I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to those who have lost their homes and have been evacuated. I also want to thank our first responders who have stepped up to keep us safe. The immediate and long-term impacts of these fires are significant. Both fires are burning close to the creeks that provide us with safe drinking water. As soon as the fires are out, we need to begin post-fire recovery work to ensure our water supplies continue to be clean and reliable. Protecting...
Dear Editor, Every day in the spring, I looked forward to the 8 p.m. howl. Along with so many other people across the US, I’d walk outside at 8 p.m. and join in with neighbors’ exuberant howling. It was cathartic, and it became a routine. The howl honored nurses and doctors on the frontlines, working stoically through the pandemic, and, though I found it ironic that the people who everyone was howling for were often inside a hospital unable to hear the howling, it gave people stuck at home something to do together without needing to go any...
Because of Covid-19, I laugh more easily, more loudly and longer than ever before. Because of Covid-19, I weep more easily, more often and longer than ever before. I seclude myself and hunger for companionship. I miss my son, my daughter-in-law, and my precious grandchildren profoundly. From visiting them six times a year, I have seen them once since last Christmas, and we could not hug when we saw each other. I have missed, for the first time in their lives, being with both of my grandchildren...
To the editor: "Do you have your mask?" A phrase that, in the past, may have only been spoken to a costume-clad child dashing out the door, eager to begin his candy hunt. Or perhaps Bonnie may have said it to Clyde before carrying out one of their infamous heists. Yet today, it is as ubiquitous as, "Do you have your keys?" This small piece of cloth has become a necessity to all. One of our fabulous employees, Yayoi Ide, is helping supply masks to her community and those most in need. Since...
I'm a very political animal. The first thing I remember watching on TV was the 1952 Republican Convention, when I was three. My parents had just bought a new-fangled television set and anything and everything was exotic and watchable. And we probably only got one channel! You can ask my Facebook friends and they will assure you that I seem to live and breathe politics. And, I put my money where my mouth is, because, fortunately, I have a healthy enough bank account that I can afford to give...
In May, a most magical occurrence was in the cards for me, but I had no way to see it coming. When I moved to Colorado, I lost the phone service I used to have in Wyoming and I'd been trying like crazy to get my new phone service up and running. And it is one of those Catch 22 things, so exasperating I was about to pull my hair out. (If you don't know what a Catch 22 is, it comes from a Joseph Heller novel, and here's an example from show biz: you can't get work if you don't have an agent, and...
On Nov. 26, 2016 my friend Trooper Cody Donahue was killed by a truck that failed to move over while he was investigating a crash. This is a story we hear all too often. Prior to that crash, there was a Move Over law already in effect. So why didn't it work in that situation or countless others? I believe there are several reasons for that. Fully knowing the law is one of them; the other is not paying attention to your surroundings. The Move Over law is set up to assist law enforcement, fire...
Greetings from Italy, Thank you for taking the time and sending tasty sweets to our Soldiers in Italy; they enjoyed the homemade cookies. I attached a picture of the MPs getting ready to work the swing shift and sending their regards. Thank you again, and take care! Ulises Gastelum MSG, USA Provost Sergeant Directorate of Emergency Services USAG Italy...
You’ve all seen the commercials that say, “Free Shipping.” Well, I’m here to tell you that there is no such thing. You pay for it, it’s just hidden in the cost of the items you are buying. Similarly, I get “bonus points” on my Amazon credit card when I make purchases on Amazon. They’re not bonus points, folks; the amount of money they represent are already covered in the prices I’m paying to Amazon. Yeah, I enjoy using those points, but I’m not deluding myself by thinking they are a freebie....
As the saying goes, I met somebody, last September. We hit it off, in a big way. Eventually, we decided that we were serious enough about each other to get married. So, I sold my house in Cheyenne, he left his in Boulder, and we settled in lovely Niwot. Our plan was to get married at his college reunion in Vermont on June 7, then travel to see one of my dearest friends, and perhaps visit his daughter and her family in Maine. And then Covid-19 hit without mercy. We began to wonder about flying....
I moved to Niwot from Wyoming in early April, just as things were beginning to green up here. After having spent the previous seven plus years in Cheyenne, I needed to touch up on my knowledge of certain flora and learn new information as well. There are plants that grow around here which I had never seen before. However, there are plants that I knew all too well: weeds. I was appalled that weeds, especially dandelions, are left to freely duplicate. Weeds are called that because they force out d...
We at the Left Hand Valley Courier would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Boulder County Commissioners for the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Fund Grant we received last month. In April, the spread of the pandemic and subsequent "stay in place" regulations led us to the difficult decision to stop printing our weekly newspaper and move to an online only subscription model. This prevented the news from getting to many elderly and low-income readers who may not use a computer or mobile device or may not have reliable access to the...
Niwot Neighbors, I'm Ellise Stager. I just finished a Food Drive for the Community Food Share, and as a community, we collected over 2,800 pounds of food! Thank you all for your generosity and support. Sincerely, Ellise Stager...
We moved to Niwot in February 2018 and have been so grateful for the community here, especially during this time of isolation and uncertainty. Our neighbors and the Niwot Market have been lifelines over the last 9 weeks, and when our dog got sick 3 weeks into the stay at home order, we called Left Hand Animal Hospital so we could stay close to home. Let me preface this by saying the our dog Cooper had been seen by veterinarians in New York, Rhode Island, Crested Butte, Gunnison, two in Boulder,...
To the editor: Three years after the flood in 2013 state and local governments spent money to understand how monolingual Spanish speaking residents of Boulder County were impacted and which barriers to accessing resources existed. Four years and now we’re reading on Saturday May 16, 2020 nothing has changed. The article, Response to Health Officials Meet Resistance, Daily Camera published on 5/16/2020 describes a situation where “Boulder County health workers are having trouble getting some people to share” and speculates why Spanish speakers m...
As I was at home dealing with all of the aspects of the Covid19 experience, I was contacted by so many people from our community. Everyone was so kind and thoughtful. I want to thank the community for all of their support and true kindness they have shown Classic Looks and myself. From the purchasing of gift certificates, to all of the caring phone calls, and emails that meant so much to all of us. We have also been thinking of all the families and businesses that were affected so very negatively through this awful pandemic. Our hearts go out...
To the Editor: First of all, many thanks to the Courier for 23 years of community reporting. We will miss the print edition, and urge everyone to subscribe to the online edition to keep this publication going! In response to the March 18th letter to the editor by Cornelia Sawle promoting Niwot “self rule:” (Cornelia is the owner of the Niwot Inn and a member of the NEISC - Niwot Exploratory Incorporation Study Committee.) While we appreciate the considerable effort that has gone into the Incorporation Study, we think it is time for the NEI...
In the sixth grade, my social studies teacher had our class do a report and presentation on a European country. My partner and I chose Denmark. I don't remember much about the report, which I'm sure was excellent or blatantly counterfactual, but I do remember very enthusiastically wearing wooden clogs during our presentation…naturally. I realized then that the Danes weren't afraid of doing, or in the case of footwear, wearing…something hard. Also, bikes. Apparently, the Danes love bikes. At the time, I considered myself a "biker." I had a sup...
It's been a long time since my friend Sadie and I have connected. When I was writing this column on a regular basis, Sadie and I would often talk about kids, husbands, work, and dealing with the ups and downs of life. But kids grow up, and husbands retire and decide to dedicate their lives to fixing the house, sometimes where "fixing" isn't really needed. Like a lot of people "our age," both of us have been lucky enough to be able to travel. It was the subject of travel that made us realize...
Dear Editor I read the article called "Mwebaza Club at NHS Raises Money for Ugandan Boy" and was truly moved by Peter's situation. We are so fortunate in this country to have the educational opportunity that we do and to have such wonderful and local high school students committed to helping Peter. We need more young people like this and I want to ask anyone in Niwot that read the article to donate. I like to donate locally but sometimes find myself reluctant to donate internationally as I am not sure if the money will reach the recipient or...
Dear Editor, The “Niwot Incorporation Committee” has presented the results of an investigation into the feasibility of incorporating the town of Niwot on their website at niwotstudy.com. In reviewing the information presented on that website, it is clear that the only issues that might form a basis for consideration in an incorporation attempt are those identified in the “Options for Niwot” item on the web page. Those issues are: 1) “Solve the roads problem” and 2) “Improve business vitality.” Of the two “Issues that need to be addressed,” th...
Dear Editor, Many thanks to Carrie Wise, Pat Murphy and Bert Steele for sharing common sense insights into the impacts of incorporation. As Carrie so (wisely) put it: “I think Niwot is really good the way it is.” “Don’t mess with it if it’s not broken.” Bert Steele of Niwot Market said that the property tax increases proposed by incorporation “…are too high for many retail outlets, including his, which operates with a slender profit margin.” Higher property taxes piled on top of other forces driving up operating costs for small businesses...
Sprouting wings grows unexpected roots, And these in turn bring unpredicted fruits. Recently I gave myself new sight, By moving life and limb from urban blight. I set my heart and soul on something new, When a quite unusual trend beset my view, The so-called Van-Life now a wild-fire craze, Occupied my mind for several days. Like many other people of my age, Who want their lives to turn another page, And being quite the woman that I am, I went ahead and bought a cargo van. Van Life is just another way to live. You can write a book or all-night...
To the editor: There is no climate emergency! Those are not my words, but rather the words of 500 of the world's most knowledgeable and experienced scientists and professionals in climate related field. This information was sent to the United Nations Secretary General and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on September 23rd, 2019 urging them to reconsider their stance on climate change. Their letter remarks that "the general-circulation models of climate on which international policy is at...
To the editor: Perhaps the recent Letter submissions regarding climate change might benefit from Googling three sources: ) "17,200 Scientists Dispute Global Warming" 2) "31,000 Scientists say no convincing evidence" - OSS Foundation. And Nolte: "Climate Experts are 0-41 with their doomsday predictions." This should clarify that there is no consensus on man-made climate effect. And even if there were consensus, consensus is not verifiable science. R. Eggers, Niwot To the editor: I was dismayed and disappointed to see a prominent and well...
To the editor: Concerning the letter published by Dick Piland of Niwot: First of all WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas stated that his comments were taken out of context and that "It is highly important that we rein in greenhouse gas emissions, notably from energy production, industry and transport. This is critical if we are to mitigate climate change and meet the targets set out in the Paris Agreement on climate change. To stop a global temperature increase of more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the level of ambition...
Dear Editor: Never before, in my 30 years of living in Niwot, have I ever been disappointed or ashamed of Niwot High School; their curriculum, administrative and/or athletic staff, or educators. But, the LHVC'S article posted in the volume 23, issue 39 put all of that on hold. (NHS Students Strike for Climate Change Awareness) A young mind is easily manipulated and molded. Is programming going on at NHS? Today's educators should be teaching young minds to be skeptical, to question authority and the popular paradigm; to research the facts and...
To the Editor: Thank you for highlighting the passion and dedication of local Niwot High School students in your recent article “Niwot High students strike for climate change awareness” (9/26/2019). It is gratifying and inspiring to see young people taking action in the face of climate change. The Global Climate Strike on September 20th was a massive manifestation of public understanding of the urgency of the current climate crisis, and our desire for solutions. The fact of human-caused climate change is undeniable. Multiple peer-reviewed stu...
To the Editor: What Mr. Maxwell, BoCo Transportation Director, in his August 7th front page Left Hand Valley Courier did NOT tell you is the following: The road construction in each subdivision within the County was originally paid for by the developer with the cost of that construction passed through to the purchase price of each house. It was not an insignificant amount. Then the roads were deeded over to the County FREE, with the understanding the County would pay for maintenance, including whatever was required to keep them in good and...
To the editor: I absolutely loved celebrating the 4th of July in Niwot this year! I am a firm believer that to build a better world, let's start in our own community, so I want to say 'Thank YOU' to the entire Niwot community for an outstandingly beautiful 4th of July celebration in Colorado. I was so surprised and honored (and humbled) to be this year's Grand Marshal. I have loved this community, rural, small-town America, for over 40 years. It is a good place to be. Niwot's 4th of July parade...
Enact a Boulder County drilling moratorium now We are members of The Lookout Alliance, a grassroots community group dedicated to protecting Gunbarrel, Heatherwood, and Niwot, Colorado from fracking. We call on the Boulder County Board of Commissioners to enact an immediate moratorium on all oil and gas drilling permits, pending the outcome of rulemaking stemming from the new Colorado law, SB19-181. The fracking threat to unincorporated areas of Boulder County is immediate. The proposed massive Crestone Comprehensive Development Project would in...
The Boulder County Commissioners (BOCC), whose job includes the governance of Niwot, abdicated that role to a Land Use Department whose “arrogance of power” as Niwot resident and community volunteer Laura Skaggs put it, is out of control. The April 23 hearing on changes to the Niwot Rural Community District (NRCD) regulations once again demonstrated a blatant disregard of previous direction from the BOCC to Land Use and Transportation departments, most especially with regard to opening the alley behind 2nd Avenue to immediate use by commercial...
Dear Editor, It is a Wednesday afternoon at about 2:30. I am standing at the kitchen window making a late lunch. Hey, I am retired I can eat when I want. I just heard the train horns as it was passing through Niwot. Once again, I am saddened. I moved to Niwot in the early 1980’s. My family grew up here. My friends and neighbors often joined us on the back deck for maybe BBQ, wine, margaritas or just plan old friendly talk and a good time. Many a time someone would remark, “Hey the train must be coming thru,” as they heard the whistles. One holi...
Good morning, this is I.R.I.T.A.T.E. - International Responders Including Telemarketers and Telepathy Ecosystems. How may I help you? Oh I see, you're finding that people are using call blockers. Just one moment and I can connect you to our anti-blocking hackers. Yes, they can hack just about any phone system. Also, we're working on all types of government systems, but that will be an upgrade and quite pricey. Hello, I.R.I.T.A.T.E. on the line. We're so good we don't need the second "R." Wait a minute. Slow down. You're talking like a...
To The Editor: I read with interest the letter from Niwot commercial property owners on the bias shown by Boulder County land use staff on the 2nd Avenue development moratorium. They might also have questioned the seeming disinterest of County Commissioners in guiding the outcome. Niwot is subject to the whim and caprice of non-elected land use staff, many new on the scene due to high turnover. I have to laugh recalling a meeting at the Grange with Land Use Director Dale Case on the proposed local marijuana shop. Despite the County’s Special U...
All Niwot property owners deserve the same rights. Through a moratorium, Land Use staff is trying to restrict the use of a public right-of-way to benefit a select few Niwot property owners over others. But the County Attorney and the County’s Comprehensive Plan state that ALL adjacent property owners have equal rights to use the alley. Alley use regulations already exist and are successfully enforced just 50 feet up 2nd Avenue. Ignoring the existing guidelines of the Comprehensive Plan to r...
