NBA hosts community organizations

The June meeting of the Niwot Business Association, held Tuesday, June 13 outside of the former feed store at 291 Second Avenue in Niwot, was sponsored by Osmosis Art & Architecture.

Owner and architect Anne Postle greeted members and introduced Tucker Huey of her staff. Postle has been instrumental in working with John Fischer, owner of the former feed store, and the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, to arrange for Open Studios artists to use the space until early July to display art by local Boulder County artists. The evening opened with an open house and a chance to visit with some of the artists.

The meeting included an opportunity for other Niwot organizations, which often work with the NBA, to explain their role in community events and projects. Dudley Irwin of The Rotary Club of Niwot began by noting that club members often volunteer for service projects in the community. Currently the club is selling raffle tickets for a duck race to be held in Longmont in July. The 34-member organization meets on Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. at the Left Hand Grange in Niwot.

David Limbach, president of the Niwot Community Association, began by reciting all of the things the NCA was not, noting that the organization receives many inquiries better directed to the Left Hand Valley Courier, the Niwot Business Association, the Niwot Historical Society or the Niwot Cultural Arts Association. The NCA does sponsor many community events, such as Niwot Clean Up Day, the 4th of July Pancake Breakfast and Parade, National Night Out and the Veterans Banner Program. The NCA also works with other organizations to provide traffic control, and serves as a liaison between the community and the Boulder County Commissioners.

Niwot Community Connection founders Dawn Server, Pat Murphy and Eve Lempriere were on hand to talk about Niwot's newest organization. They noted that the organization was designed to help people connect, and was especially valuable to grandparents who have moved to the area to be closer to grandchildren. NCC volunteers help with a variety of community projects, including Rock & Rails, the Easter Egg Hunt, and the 4th of July activities.

Kathy Koehler, president of the Niwot Historical Society, spoke about the organization's activities, which include preserving Niwot's history through a lecture series, as well as displaying artifacts in the Old Firehouse next to the Left Hand Grange.

Biff Warren of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association noted the many projects of the NCAA, which was first formed to purchase Whistle Stop Park in 2009. The 8-member board of directors operates with several committees, and sponsors Rock & Rails, First Friday Art Walks, the Why Not Niwot? Juried Art Show, the Niwot Jazz Festival, Oktoberfest, and Let's Wine About Winter. The NCAA also manages Niwot Children's Park, Whistle Stop Park and Niwot Sculpture Park, often working with the NBA, the NCA and other community organizations. The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band is also sponsored by the NCAA, along with the Left Hand Grange.