LHVC 2003

To tackle these issues, a working group comprised of Gunbarrel property owners and representatives from the surrounding neighborhood has been established to formalize the plan. The group, according to the city statement, “has met with city and county staff and the urban design consultant to develop area plan options, including the ‘best fit’ option.”

At another planned community meeting, the working group will present plan options for comment by Gunbarrel residents. That meeting was to take place June 18, but has been delayed several times and is currently scheduled for July 23.

After a period of public comment, the plan will be referred to the county Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners, and will go on to be considered at a city Planning Board hearing and, eventually, by the Boulder City Council.

Of particular interest to planners is the Gunbarrel Town Center, a proposed retail/residential development to be located at Lookout and Gunpark Roads. The O’Connor Group, developers of the Town Center, had not, at press time, submitted plans for a Site Review, leaving some residents concerned that the flagging local economy could be slowing down the project.

Others are glad to see

the delay. The Gunbarrel Community Association expressed hopes that the Gunbarrel Commercial Area Plan be completed in time to guide the approval process of the Town Center project.

For more information on the Gunbarrel Commercial Area Plan, visit the City of Boulder GCAP web page at www.ci.boulder.co.us/buildingservices/long_range/gunbarrelcap.htm. Comments on the plan from the Gunbarrel Community Association can be found at www.gunbarrel.net.

NCA “Adopts” Local Army Unit

Celebrate the 4th of July By Supporting Our Troops

Special to the Courier

The NCA (Niwot Community Association) has decided to “adopt” about 200 soldiers in Alpha Company of the 244th Engineering Battalion, who have been posted to Kuwait and then to Iraq from the Boulder-Denver area. “Alpha Rocks” is their company motto. The battalion is home to 1998 NHS grad Ryan Anderson, who left for Kuwait on May 18 and will probably be deployed there for a year.

Some soldiers in A Company are well supported by family care packages, but many others are not. The NCA, along with Ryan’s parents, Jan Stutts and Neil Anderson, are organizing efforts to send much needed supplies to the battalion.

The army does not supply some items that would help the soldiers deal with harsh conditions like sand fleas, mosquitoes, poor water and a constant battle for cleanliness. Desired items include flea collars (ankle size),

Gatorade powder, bug repellant (l00 percent DEET), baby wipes (unscented) and inexpensive sunglasses. Sunglasses are ruined by blowing sand so it’s better to send extra replacements rather than one expensive pair. Aerosol products should not be sent.

Of course, soldiers would also appreciate letters, comics and magazines, but no “swimsuit issues” since these are Muslim countries.

Boxes will be placed at the Niwot Post Office and the Niwot Market for your contributions.

Monetary donations are most helpful for new products. These funds allow bulk purchases at a discount with cash left over to pay for postage.

Please make your cheeck payable to NCA, USA Fund and mail it to NCA - USA Fund, P.O. Box 72, Niwot, Co. 80544. Please remember to write “USA Fund” on the envelope.

Thank you for your support

For additional information contact Jan Stutts at Nanderson82@attbi.com

Photo courtesy of Jan Stutts

NHS grad Ryan Anderson receives his sergeant’s stripes. Anderson is a member of the 244th Battalion, A company currently stationed in Kuwait. The NCA has adopted the battalion and is looking for contributions for a community care package.

Remembering Randy Rehn

Comments and memories

compiled by Thomas George

With the Fourth of July at hand, several friends and family members of Army Sgt. First Class Randall Scott “Randy” Rehn took a moment to share their memories. Randy, who graduated from Niwot High School in 1985, died April 3 in Baghdad, Iraq.

Joanne Rehn — Randy’s mother:

I miss his great smile and his loving and caring attitude.

He would always put a smile on your face when you’re down in the dumps.

He was a wonderful son and a great husband to his wife, and a great father.

He’s missed so much.

It’s hard to imagine him not coming home anymore.

Todd Ahlgrim — Randy’s Classmate and Friend

When I first met Randy we were back in grade school. We just clicked.

I was always bigger than him. He kept pushing me to wrestle [on the wrestling team], and I finally agreed.

At first we just did practice holds and things like that, but finally they had us wrestle against each other. Since we were about the same weight, Mr. Ross teamed me and Randy up.

When the whistle blew, he pinned me in about 3.5 seconds. Then he smiled and he said, “You’re not so bad after all.” I’ll never forget him saying that.

It hurts me inside to have something like that happen to a friend.

Joe Rehn — Randy’s Brother

I remember him just being happy and wanting to be the life of the crowd. He always had people laughing.

When we would go out on the town, he was not just a brother, but a friend. We could talk about whatever we wanted to.

What I miss is him joking around and making me laugh.

Matt Sharp — Randy’s Classmate and Friend

Randy was such a loyal friend over the years. Over that time we had some disagreements, but his friendship was never in question.

In sports, he was a fierce competitor. He was always going full-bore, good or bad.

Once, we were playing J.V. football and getting beat by Longmont. We were way behind. A lot of us, myself included, had kind of given up.

I was Q.B., and I was going back for a pass. Randy was there and I just dumped it off to him. He must have run through six or seven tackles and scored our only touchdown of that game.

The varsity coach happened to be there, and said it was one of the most inspired moments he’d ever seen in Niwot football.

The birth of his daughter was the happiest I ever remember seeing him. You could tell how much he loved her. It was the same when he got married.

It’s one of those things you always counted on, Randy being around somewhere.

A memorial fund has been established in honor of Randy Rehn, and will be used to support the higher education of his daughter, Megan. Contributions can be made at any Wells Fargo branch, with checks written to the Memorial Fund for Randall Rehn. Please include the words “For Megan Rehn” on the check’s “memo” line.

Left Hand Laurel: Sandi Searls

by Jennifer Svendsen Delaney

Niwot resident Sandi Searls, the Courier’s Left Hand Laurel for July, has served on the St. Vrain Valley Board of Education since November 2001. Before running for the board, Searls watched meetings and admired how the group set aside philosophical and political differences to work together towards their top priority: the success of children. The cooperative spirit that inspired Searls to seek election also proved to be a crucial factor in helping the board overcome recent crises and challenges.

Searls related some of the measures the board members established to maintain credibility with the community. They hired a new superintendent, as well as a financial counselor versed in the financial administration of schools, to advise them with the approved bond. Searls initiated the Business Task Force when it was determined that a board employee had abused financial privileges.

It was evident that the current financial systems were not operating properly and required tighter controls. Three qualified volunteers from the community were selected and given free rein to analyze the system and determine how to adjust it. Their report led to the assignment of an audit committee.

This year, the board set a goal to meet with representatives, including parents and staff from every school within the district, to create more productive schools. Searls hopes to launch a preschool summit to provide reading readiness awareness. The huge gap in abilities of children entering kindergarten is troubling. “When it is a known fact that 10th grade reading abilities can be predicted in kindergarten, that is telling us something about the imperative nature of literacy awareness,” Searls stressed. The board would invite staff from the 14 public preschools in the district, as well as any interested private preschools and kindergarten teachers, to discuss the issue.

Searls is quick to assert that the success of the Board is due to its dedication to find the most effective policies to assure student achievement.When I asked Searls about her activities outside of the board, she laughed and admitted that the position is an all consuming, albeit worthwhile, commitment. She enjoys gardening, recently attended a master gardening class through the Colorado State Extension Program. She scuba dives, plays tennis with the Fox Hills Country Club and BTA Leagues, and until recently, led tours as a guide at Ocean Journey.

A former biology and chemistry teacher, Searls taught in the US and overseas in Guam, where her husband was stationed. She worked in staff development training for teachers and administration for 13 years. Her children attended the Niwot schools, where Searls served as co-president of the PAC and volunteered on a variety of committees.

Searls wanted to find another way to give back to the schools and to make a difference to children, and she felt her talents would be best channeled serving on the Board of Education.

Searls feels strongly about certain issues, such as local vs. state control, emphasizing that each district is best qualified to determine the needs of its constituents. Also, she believes it is vital that schools provide an equal opportunity to all children within the 411 square mile district.

She feels fortunate to be a part if a community that has “wonderful parents devoted to the welfare and education of their children.”

Photo by Jennifer Svendsen Delany

Sandi Searls, the Courier’s Left Hand Laurel for July.

Farm Fresh in Your Backyard

By Claire Chase

On a sultry July day, what better captures the essence of summer than ripe fruits and fresh vegetables picked from your own back yard? What if you don’t have a garden? Not to worry, local farmers dedicate themselves to cultivating a feast from the earth. Front Range farmer’s markets and produce stands are in full swing this summer. The quality and variety are better than ever.

In order to help sort out where to find the markets and stands and when each is open, the Colorado Department of Agriculture makes it easy. Each year they publish a guide called the Colorado Farm Fresh Directory.

“The directory helps people locate the state’s high quality locally grown produce and agricultural products,” said Wendy White, marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “This year’s directory is larger than ever, listing 72 farmer’s markets across the state.”

In addition to listing farms and farmer’s markets, the booklet also lists county fairs and food and agricultural festivals. A crop calendar shows the growing season of Colorado’s fresh produce. This tells the consumer when a favorite fruit or vegetable is in season.

It also illustrates that a display of out-of-season fruits and vegetables must be imported. The guide is available at chambers of commerce, libraries and online at www.coloradoagriculture.com.

One of the newest markets is in Berthoud. Celebrating its first year in operation, the market is comprised of 14 vendors from Larimer and surrounding counties. The Berthoud market includes some traditional items like fresh vegetables, baked goods, cheeses and free range meats. There will also be some nontraditional additions throughout the summer, according to Deirdre Daly of the Berthoud Main Street Program, a historical preservation group.

“Berthoud is a rural community and we are really excited to promote local farmers and products. We are hoping it will be an afternoon gathering place for neighboring counties as well,” said Daly.

In Longmont, Tom and Connie Zweck have been farming organically for 30 years. Their land, a heritage farm, has been in the Zweck family for almost 140 years. After college, the couple lived in Boulder and had a small garden in their back yard. According to Connie, they both developed an interest in growing and decided to move back to Tom’s family property to try it out on a larger scale. The couple started with “not more than an acre, with sweet corn, beans and tomatoes,” said Connie.

Today, with two employees they turn 24 acres. Zweck’s Fresh Vegetables and Flowers is a certified organic farm. Staying on top of things requires a lot of hard work and “a lot more paperwork,” said Zweck. Organic farmers undergo a rigorous process for certification each year.

Two of the most important aspects of organic farming require adding organic matter to build nutrients in the soil and crop rotation to keep bugs at a minimum. The Zwecks plant crops in an intermingled system to preserve the rich quality of the organic soil.

For example, peas and melons are planted in the same field. Peas provide extra nitrogen that cantaloupes need. The result is hearty, healthy, delicious produce. The fields are a beautiful patchwork of texture and color with 87 varieties of flowers and over 45 fruits, vegetables and herbs.

“Our philosophy is that what we sell is picked fresh every day and we grow everything we sell,” said Zweck.

She gives out recipes and posts new cooking ideas on a chalkboard in the produce stand. Connie is impressed with “people’s willingness to try new vegetables. We sell things like fennel and okra. I try to provide recipes for anything different. People will try something if they know how to cook it,” said Zweck.

Farm stands and farmer’s markets cater to the sophisticated palate. Not only do they carry fresh fruits and vegetables, but a wide selection of everything from to salsa and garlic braids to wine and vinaigrettes.

Farmers appreciate that consumers are well educated and choose to spend their dollars in support of the local grower, community and small business. It is a comfort to know exactly where the food is coming from, and that the person who sells and grows it lives in the same community. In the end, it is not size that distinguishes a good farm stand or market but the uniqueness of its patrons and vendors.

Visit a farm stand or farmer’s market today. The experience is not to be missed, and it’s practically in your own back yard.

For more information, visit <www.coloradofarmersmarket.com>.

Photos courtesy of Connie Zweck

You can find a wide range of fresh and colorful fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more at local farmstands and farmer’s market.

Between You & Me

By Karen Copperberg

Hooray For The Red, White and Blue

When I was a kid, my friends and I form-ed the Flag Club. Each of us was assigned a color. The three of us (one was a boy) frequently rotated which “color” we were, because we couldn’t decide if we wanted to be brave, pure, or true.

We had a notebook where we kept track of whose turn it was to be the “superhero” with that designated color. At least I think we were planning on being superheroes – it’s hard to remember that far back! But we were all big comic book fans at the time, and this was in the era of Green Lantern, Superman and Spiderman. Somehow we thought we could compete with them!

We were a lot more patriotic then and spent many childhood holidays at the big parades that our city had for every occasion. When we were older, and in the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, or just about any group, we marched with everyone else – two miles or so down Broadway, with flags held high. I do remember being the actual flag-bearer one time, and thinking I was never going to be able to lower my arms again.

June 28, 2003

Red, white and blue are still proud colors, chosen so long ago by our country’s founders. With the recent conflict in the Middle East and with Fourth of July approaching, we see many flags, and reminders of how we should take care of our home-displayed flags,

So, between you and me, enjoy your Fourth of July celebration wherever it may be, and remember with pride that you are an American.

Until next month, you can reach us at the Courier, lhvcourier@aol.com, or call us at 303-845-3077.