All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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The Left Hand Valley Courier is spotlighting various local neighborhoods, their history, issues and general nature. This week, the Courier is spotlighting Cottonwood Park West. In the mid-20th century, Niwot began to grow from its origins as a small railroad town and farming community into a fully suburban community that provided housing, schools and amenities for families working in Boulder and Longmont. This was particularly true once IBM purchased land for its operations in the late 1950s,...
Work on the historic Frank Bader Home at 210 Franklin Street in Niwot has resumed, following a stop work order imposed by Boulder County designed to ensure that proper permitting by the site's owner, Nassar Development, was in place for the site at the corner of Second Avenue and Franklin Street. Work cessation took place when residents noticed that the scope of work appeared to exceed the limits allowed by the permitting. Denise Grimm, Principal Planner, Historic Preservation for Boulder...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is spotlighting various local neighborhoods, their history, issues and general nature. This week, the Courier is spotlighting the Old Town residential neighborhood. Thanks to its proximity to the railroad depot, Second Avenue is one of the oldest areas of commerce in town. As the earliest Niwotians created businesses on both the eastern and western side of the railroad tracks, now the Diagonal Highway, they chose to live in or around where they worked. Eventually,...
Second Avenue has one of the oldest concentrations of independent small businesses in Niwot but it's also known as a place with a long history of female entrepreneurship. That history continues to the current day. "When we started there were a lot of women-owned businesses in town, and there still are," said Jan Kahl who owns Niwot Jewelry & Gifts with her son, Jason Scarbrough. Angie Miltersen, who owns Few of a Kind Vintage + Mercantile, sought out Niwot as a place to run her first business...
Although Pawxatawney Phil has determined spring is right around the corner, based on last weekend's storm, winter seems determined to hang around. One upcoming event might offer some relief: Let's Wine About Winter in Niwot. Sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, the annual Let's Wine About Winter event is planned for Saturday, Feb. 24 to welcome community members in from the cold with wine, art, food and hospitality. Kristin Alger, who is co-chair of the event with Anne Postle,...
Last weekend, Niwot and the entire Front Range was blanketed by more than 4 inches of heavy, wet snow. The large flakes quickly accumulated, making driving a slush-filled challenge for anyone who ventured outside, especially later in the afternoon. Anyone staying inside was able to see a frosted, snow-globe effect to anything beyond the panes of their window. We went to Old Town and Cottonwood Square to talk to community members about their snowy experience. The snow didn't deter visitors....
Approximately 50 community members convened at The Wheel House on Jan. 22, to consider the future of baseball and softball in Niwot. The meeting was arranged by the Niwot High School baseball and softball programs in conjunction with Niwot Youth Sports (NYS). The group discussed a spectrum of ideas starting with needs at Niwot High School baseball and softball facilities for everyday items, such as tarps and lawn chemicals to enhance their ability to conduct ground maintenance. The group also ta...
As one of two main hubs of small businesses in Niwot, Cottonwood Square brings together a variety of retail stores. Businesses range from restaurants to clothing stores, and from florists to fitness studios. A surprisingly high number of these enterprises are run, either in whole or in part, by women. Many owners have several things in common. They enjoy the Niwot community and the support it gives local businesses. They also share a "give back" or "pay-it-forward" attitude. "I feel like Niwot i...
Redevelopment, particularly on historic properties, can be unpredictable. It's challenging to know exactly how a project will proceed until an excavator begins to dig into the ground. It's become apparent that this is the case with the project at the former Colterra restaurant and Bader House at 210 Franklin Street in Niwot. The building which housed the Colterra restaurant began life as a barn, and has been demolished due to damage from a fire several years ago, leaving the historic Bader...
You don't have to leave Niwot or Gunbarrel to enjoy New Year's Eve. Whether you're looking for drinks and good company at midnight or a special celebratory dinner, you can find what you need without leaving the area. Here are a few suggestions for New Year's Eve. Niwot New Year's Eve Gala at the Left Hand Grange 195 2nd Avenue The Left Hand Grange is inviting the community to its inaugural New Year's Eve gala, with dinner and dancing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The evening includes a welcome cocktail...
Believe it or not, one of the most frequently asked questions on social media about the Niwot area is about local happy hours. We were happy (pun intended) to do a little research and provide the answer. As it turns out, there is no shortage of places in Niwot and Gunbarrel to enjoy discounts on quality food and drinks while relaxing after work. A few notable watering holes: Cottonwood Square Niwot Tavern 7960 Niwot Road Time/Day: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. daily A longstanding and traditional community...
While Niwot has long enjoyed the beautiful flower arrangements from Sarah Cioni and Belle Terre Floral, the local florist has recently been in a larger spotlight. Belle Terre provided the flowers for weddings in Season 17 of Lifetime's television show, "Married at First Sight." Cioni was referred to the show's team by the owner of the venue where the weddings would be filmed. "About the second week of January, I got an email from someone on the show team asking me if I would be interested in...
The final First Friday Art Walk of 2023 took place Dec. 1 on Second Avenue and in Cottonwood Square. Residents and art lovers enjoyed a break from the cold with beautiful art and holiday-themed socializing. The Niwot Market held an open house, hosting a large crowd with live music by local musician Tony Crank. Sarah Cioni of Belle Terre Floral provided instruction on creating flower arrangements, and customers flocked to the opportunity, with flowers donated by Belle Terre. Linda Verenkamp of...
At the November team banquet for the Niwot High School girls softball team, head coach Bobby Matthews reiterated what he had said earlier in the year: softball can be a rough sport, and the best players don't always come out on top. He was clearly proud of this year's team that went as far as any Niwot team has gone since 2014, posting an overall record of 18 wins, 8 losses and one tie. The softball team placed third in the Longs Peak League and was ranked 32nd in the state. However, their play...
The former Colterra Restaurant on Second Avenue is currently in development by Nassar Development as a mixed use space. Plans for the former Colterra Restaurant include an eatery by Boulder restaurateur Josh Dinar, two commercial spaces and five residential units. In various capacities, Dinar is behind several area restaurants including River and Woods, T/Aco, Ash'Kara and Tributary Food Hall in Golden. Nassar Development founder David Nassar presented a vision for the new restaurant, including...
Niwot High School's art show, hosted by the NHS Booster Music Performance and Art under the umbrella of the parent-run Niwot High School Boosters, Inc., is returning for its sophomore year Dec. 4-6 from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. each evening. The art show is sponsored, in part, by the Boulder School of Fine Art. "Niwot High School is not only academically and athletically driven, but artistically driven," said Lydia Moy, Chairman for NIwot High School Booster Music Performance and Art, who helped to organ...
Galleries and other small businesses opened their doors to art-loving community members during November's First Friday Art Walk, Nov. 3. But in the middle of a successful event, one of the organizers, Anne Postle of Osmosis Gallery, announced some news. The schedule for First Friday Art Walks in 2024 will be different. There would be a total of six First Friday Art Walks in 2024 which will be held in March, June, July, August, September and December. "We want to allow more of our businesses,...
There will be more art in Niwot this holiday season. Open Studios is returning to the former Feed Store on 2nd Avenue to showcase work by local artists in their Holiday Pop Up Art and Gift Gallery. The Niwot Cultural Arts Association has worked with property owner John Fischer to provide an art venue in Niwot. The gallery is opening Friday, Nov. 24, and will close on Dec. 31. During that time, it will be open every weekend from Thursday to Sunday, from 12 noon to 6 p.m. Hours will be expanded...
Niwot High School girls softball team ended a spectacular season with a heartbreaking first-round playoff loss to the D'Evelyn Jr./Sr. High Jaguars, who were seeded No. 3 in the state. Niwot entered the weekend seeded No. 14. "I am so proud of the work that the players put in this season," said head coach Bobby Matthews. "They left it all on the field and they should not hang their heads at all. This game is tough, and sometimes the best team doesn't always win." The Cougars scored first on a ho...
The Niwot Cougars girls softball team is moving on to CHSAA state tournament play in Aurora as part of the Sweet 16. The Cougars prevailed in two of the three games at regionals this past weekend. Both winning games were against the Golden Demons, a team ranked second in the 4A Jeffco League and 23rd in Class 4A standings. That compares to Niwot's third-place Longs Peak League standings and 18th overall ranking statewide. It is the first time the team reached the CHSAA second week of play since...
The sun is setting earlier now and this past First Friday Art Walk seemed to be a little more subdued than usual. It may have been the drop in temperatures, but in the early evening, midway through the event, art lovers seemed to be heading indoors rather than lingering on sidewalks. Regardless, the quality of the work remains high, with plenty of variety for participants to view as they take part in the event. The hub of the evening’s art shows was at Osmosis Art and Architecture, on 2nd Avenue. Linda Hufferd greeted patrons as they e...
Last Tuesday, in front of a crowd of parents, students and other onlookers, the Niwot High School girls softball team played the final game of the regular season, coming away with a dramatic win. The Cougars run-ruled the Roosevelt High School Rough Riders by a score of 11-1, a victory that was all the more satisfying because it was against a team that they endured a heartbreaking, 1-0 loss against earlier in the season. Head Coach Bobby Matthews said, "I am very impressed with how the team has...
Niwot and Gunbarrel-connected brewers were well represented in the slate of this year's medal winners at the Great American Beer Festival. Out of the 40 medals that Colorado brewers took home this year, 11 winners came from Boulder County. No brewer in the state won bigger this year than Wibby Brewing, whose founder and brewmaster, Ryan Wibby, grew up in Gunbarrel. Wibby Brewing was named Brewery of the Year in the 5,001 - 15,000 barrels per year category. The brewer also received a gold medal...
The Niwot girls softball team faced some challenges after coming off of a strong homecoming week of play. Two days after an exciting win against the Severance High School Silver Knights, the Cougars traveled north on Sept. 25 to play the same team a second time in an away game that was a make up for a rainout earlier in the season. The emotional and challenging game saw the Cougars fall behind early before rallying back to tie the score in the top of the 7th inning. Neither team was able to...
Fall came to Niwot a day early on Friday, Sept. 22, with Niwot's annual homecoming parade. The parade followed the usual route, winding past Niwot Elementary School, where students greeted the parade, then down Niwot Road past Cottonwood Square and onto Second Avenue. Parents and other community members eagerly waited for the event. Brady Toothaker, the parent of a junior at the high school, was excited to cheer the teams on. "We come because we just love how they get all the sports teams out...
The capabilities of the Niwot Cougar girls softball team were on full display during homecoming week. The week's schedule kicked off with a win against the Northridge High School team that Niwot hadn't prevailed against since the 2021 season. Their matchup with Northridge earlier in the season resulted in a hard fought 5-4 loss but last Tuesday, the Cougars prevailed 8-4. Seniors Autumn Rutherford and Anne Booth continued to show their strength at the plate, going 4-4 and 3-4, respectively. The...
The air is starting to cool and summer is firmly a thing of the past. That can only mean that it's time for Niwot residents to break out their lederhosen and raise a stein or two. Oktoberfest is returning to Niwot. The event, sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA), is slated for Saturday, Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will feature German beer from local brewery Fritz Family Brewers, known for their German lagers including pilsners, a kolsch or two and marzens, which are...
The Niwot High School girls softball team bounced back with two blowout wins, not letting a single defeat in last weekend's tournament throw them off course. Cougar pitching continued to get stronger through both games, the team's bats were also out in force, and both games ended in mercy-rule victories. "It was a good week for the team," said Coach Bobby Matthews. "Getting two run-rule victories was great. The way the team played Monday against cross-town rival Silver Creek in an 11-0 win was...
Last week's Niwot High softball squad started with a hard-fought loss that served as a warmup for a successful tournament the following Friday and Saturday in Loveland. Ultimately, the team ended the week with a 5-3 record, a 20th-place ranking in Colorado Class 4A and a fifth-place spot solidly in the middle of rankings of the Longs Peak League. Tuesday's game against the Roosevelt High School Roughriders presented a challenge that the Cougars battled through from the first inning, when Cougar...
Although this year's Rock & Rails concert series has concluded, there is still more Thursday night music to enjoy in Whistle Stop Park. RISE 2023, The Jared Music Foundation's annual benefit concert is returning on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 5 - 9 p.m..at Whistle Stop Park. "This will be our third one at Whistle Stop Park," said co-founder Surinder Dahiya. "We're hoping to get a good turnout because we now have about 30 kids that we fund. Over 20 are taking it at the Boulder Symphony Music...
Niwot High School's softball team entered into the Labor Day weekend at fifth place in the 4A Longs Peak league. They finished out the last week of August with a 5-3 record, a persevering attitude and excitement for how the rest of the season will proceed. With a few weeks of experience, the team is getting to know how they'll work together on the field, maintaining focus and appearing to build on-field connections. On Aug. 24, the Cougars started the day with a 15-0 win over Thompson Valley,...
This week's Rock & Rails headliner is possibly the first performer in the series to have ever set foot on Whistle Stop Park's gazebo stage. Nalani is a Niwot High School graduate with deep area roots and fond memories of the concert series. "Rock & Rails is my home," Nalani said. "I remember when they built the gazebo and feeling that it was an anchor point for a community space. I just stood up on it, with my arms wide open, and wondered what the space would be like with the crowd, vendors,...
Niwot High School's softball field was mowed in stripes and the seats on the hill above the Cougars' dugout were packed for the first varsity game of the season last Tuesday, Aug. 15. Although NHS classes hadn't started yet, Principal Eric Rauschkolb and Athletic Director Joe Brown were on hand to talk with students and wish the girls well. "We're looking forward to a fun season and to learn expectations of the players as we go through," said Brown during the earlier part of the team's first...
It's been a year since the last time Face Vocal Band took the stage at Rock & Rails. "For us, every year, it gets a big circle on our calendar," said Mark Megibow, vocal performer and one of the band's partners. "It's one of the most crowded, animated and excited groups we get to play for. People get loud and they have fun." Megibow said that Rock & Rails is also one of the concert series that Face has been playing for the longest. That creates a lot of memories. In addition to the reliable...
Detroit Motown and classic soul will fill Whistle Stop Park this Thursday, Aug. 10, when Ron Ivory and One on One take the stage. The quartet will be playing a range of music from the 1950s through the 2000s including familiar songs from The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Martha and the Vandellas and The Supremes. They're playing it during a year when the group is marking its 20th year performing in what's been one of its busiest years. "It started in 2003," said Ron Ivory, who serves as bandleader f...
Brass, sass, and a party are coming to the Rock & Rails stage Aug. 3 as Guerrilla Fanfare plays the event for the first time. Made up entirely of Denver-area musicians, they impart a New Orleans-style funk to their concerts, bringing trumpets, trombones, a tuba, saxophones and drums to their audience. The band's founder and manager Zach Brake is a 2016 CU Boulder alumnus and music education major who fell in love with brass band music while in school. He dreamed of starting a brass band at a tim...
Nearly everyone can sing along with an Eagles song, and that makes The Long Run, an Eagles Tribute Band, a great choice to entertain the Rock & Rails crowd on July 27. The six-member band is a summer festival favorite, playing up and down the Front Range. Founded in 2009, they've also played larger venues including Red Rocks Amphitheatre and The Paramount Theatre. The band has plenty of talent. Band founder, drummer and vocalist Mark Trippensee has played with national acts including REO...
For the next few weeks, there will be art throughout Niwot with the Why Not Niwot? Juried Art Show organized by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and Osmosis Art Gallery. The 2023 event was launched at July's First Friday Art Walk and this year marks the 12th year of the show. More than 30 art entries featuring Niwot can be seen in eight Niwot businesses: Osmosis Gallery, Niwot Jewelry & Gifts, Niwot Inn & Spa, Few of a Kind Vintage and Mercantile, Niwot Wheel Works, Fly Away Home Decor,...
Will Baumgartner, band founder, leader, singer and songwriter for funk and soul group The Pamlico Sound, is clearly excited about appearing at this week's Rock & Rails concert, July 6. "I've been to Rock & Rails, I've seen what a party it is and how much fun it is," Baumgartner said. "The concert series has gotten such a great reputation. Everybody who knows the series gets excited when I tell them we're playing there." This year's concert includes a few notable elements. Audiences will enjoy...
One of the most enjoyable things about Rock & Rails is the mix of bands that play each week. It's possible that the only thing each week has in common is that whoever is playing on stage, they are going to be danceable. And Los Cheesies might be one of the most unconventional bands to step onto the bandstand stage at Whistle Stop Park. Their mix of fusion reggae, ska, Latin, '80's, rap and psychedelic rock stylings is blended with wacky humor that could winkingly be called "Yankovian" (as in Wei...
This week's Rock & Rails stage will feature familiar faces of Mojomama, with their beloved mix of funky blues, rock and soul that ranges from Aretha Franklin to Susan Tedeschi to Steely Dan. "Knowing that we get to play for the best crowd all summer makes us happy," said lead vocalist Jessica Rogalski. "People are really in a good mood, everyone's up dancing. As performers, it's fun for us to have that energetic exchange. It feeds our energy too." She remembers the fun, colorful crowd from last...
This week, CW & Twenty Hands High are returning to the Rock & Rails stage for their second year, bringing their country, Southern rock, outlaw, red dirt sound with them. Local musician Taylor Shae will open for them. I talked to the band's founder and frontman, CW Wooten, just after the band finished a performance at Beasts and Brews, a taphouse and butcher shop in Colorado Springs. Our conversation started not by talking about music or his latest show, but about the food that was there. Wooten...
This past weekend, the Slepicka Tractor Show was held just off 79th Street in Niwot near the Monarch Road intersection. Attendees enjoyed beautiful weather for the show, as they browsed among decades' worth of restored tractors, engines and other farm equipment displayed on the front of the farm of long time Niwotonians, Jerry and Marsha Slepicka, who have owned the property since 1994. Co-sponsored by the Niwot Community Association, the show gave a peek into a past way of life in the area with...
Thursday's Rock & Rails headliner is familiar to many attendees, with proven performers who can get the audience up off of their lawn chairs, abandon their picnic baskets and onto the dance floor. It will be the popular Chris Daniels and the Kings, the beloved Colorado Music Hall of Fame inducted band, which has played its rock and blues-based music in venues throughout the world. They will be preceded by the opening act, Gunbarrel acoustic guitarist Dean Himes, a 2022 Colorado Country Music...
More art is coming to Niwot as summer begins. Open Studios, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting artists and enhancing and enriching the visual arts in Boulder County, in cooperation with the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, is bringing its annual members' show to the former feed store on 2nd Avenue. The exhibit features work from the more than 205 member artists who participate in the organization. It includes work in a variety of mediums, ranging from watercolor, paint on acrylic, mixed-m...
Niwot High School's graduation ceremony last Saturday was equal parts bright and sentimental. The football field was awash with rows of white chairs and green capped and gowned members of the class of 2023. Proud families, teachers and staff assembled under a photo-ready crisp blue sky to honor the students. Nearly 300 students accepted their diplomas from Principal Eric Rauschkolb, after experiencing one of the most normal school-year experiences since classes were disrupted by the COVID-19...
Over the next few months, the former feed store on 2nd Avenue will continue its reimagined purpose as a home for art and culture in Niwot. "At this time, the climate isn't good to start building any kind of development for that lot, so we decided to do a minimal fix up and get the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) involved and create something that would encourage people to come downtown," said John Fischer, who co-owns the building with his wife Xan. "Until the climate for redevelopment...
Last Saturday, May 6, friends and colleagues of Ann Whitehill gathered to honor her with the dedication of a beautiful bench on the patio outside of Niwot Jewelry & Gifts and next to Osmosis Art and Architecture. Approximately 35 people attended to share stories and reminisce, including Whitehill's sister Alice, and her brother David. The bench dedication had been planned for some time by Jan Kahl of Niwot Jewelry & Gifts, who had employed Whitehill. Kahl helped with a location for the bench,...
The Niwot community is home to artists of all sorts. The area's painters, writers, dancers, musicians, potters, sculptors and others enrich Niwot and do what they can to give back to the town. Niwot resident and woodworker Jeff Wolcott exemplifies this inclination. He not only appreciates living here, but he answered the call when he was asked to be part of the effort to restore Spear Lodge Man, and the other iconic Native American tree carvings that are located on Niwot Road near the...
Just over a year ago, in April of 2022, a treasured member of the Niwot community, Left Hand Valley Courier Advertising Director and Niwot Jewelry & Gifts staff member Ann Whitehill, passed away suddenly. Since then, she has been greatly missed by the community and members have been working to honor her with the dedication of a bench in her name outside of the jewelry store on 2nd Avenue. A dedication of the bench will be held Saturday, May 6 at 4 p.m. on the patio outside Niwot Jewelry & Gifts...
