All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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If you were to walk into the athletic training room in Niwot High after the school day is over, you might see tennis balls flying through the air and an array of athletes practically climbing over each other as they do their exercises. Laughter would probably fill the air and someone probably would say, "Maja, you need a new training room." "I know," athletic trainer Maja Watne would say with a laugh and a sigh. "I try to make it fun...My favorite part of the day is when it's a little crazy,...
Inkberry Books came through with yet another fascinating story. Justin Courter's The Heart of it All is a little bit mid-life-crisis, a little rebellious and extremely engaging. We first meet narrator John Ritter shortly after he's moved back to Cincinnati, or "Cincinasty," as he calls it, in order to help his grandmother who has Alzheimer's. But this homecoming is more difficult than he perhaps expected-in addition to taking care of his grandmother, he works for a crook of an old "friend," is...
The air was electric at the Longmont Dance Theater. Dancers flitted about the studio, chatting, practicing their moves, and making sure everything was ready for rehearsal. Clap, clap, clap–Executive Artistic Director Kristin Kingsley called the dancers to attention, made a few announcements, and the dancing began. "It's a lot of fun," said Apex high school junior Caroline Martin, grinning. "There's so much good energy and a lot of really wonderful dancing and talented dancers." That's the t...
More than 60 people joined the County Commissioner’s virtual meeting on April 14 regarding a proposed makeover of Highway 119, commonly known as the Diagonal Highway. After introductions, the Planning Unit of Community Planning and Permitting started their presentation about the project. First, Planning and Permitting showed a video that gave statistics–it’s the second-most traveled highway in Boulder County, with almost 40,000 daily vehicles, and it’s the most dangerous, having more crashes than highways such as U.S. Highway 287 or even U....
Cimmini's was packed last Tuesday for the monthly Niwot Business Association meeting. It might have had something to do with the refreshments provided by the popular Italian restaurant, and it might have had something to do with the speaker for the evening. NBA president Eric Bergeson began by welcoming new NBA members, including Lisa Nesper with Cross Country Mortgage in Niwot Square and Kristin Dura with Una Vida in Cottonwood Square. Bergeson then shifted to announcements and a number of...
It was sunny and windy Saturday afternoon as a dozen community members met outside Inkberry Books. The event that day was a book reading and question and answer session with local author and activist Danielle SeeWalker. Originally from North Dakota, SeeWalker is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe but has since moved to Denver. She currently is a Co-Chair for the Denver American Indian Commission and explores Native activism in a variety of ways. For example, she's a mixed media...
Cottonwood Square, the Niwot Sculpture Park, and Second Avenue were buzzing with activity at the First Friday Artwalk on the first day of April. Various businesses offered refreshments, and many hosted artists and musicians. While some displayed artwork–like The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop showcasing local illustrator Jessica Lanan–others, like Belle Terre, had creative art stations. Walking through the town, one could see people painting still lifes and landscapes, while local musicians per...
Late one night, Shining Mountain Waldorf senior and avid reader Will Barnett was flipping through A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami. While this night might have started like any other, it proved to be one that triggered an epiphany - every senior at Shining Mountain must create a senior project, and Barnett had many ideas. What if he explored the Arab-Isralei conflict or interned at a medical practice? But each idea was shot down: it wasn't interesting enough, or it didn't seem like it would...
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...
Earlier this month, a piece of Boulder County earth moving equipment fell into Little Gaynor Lake, south of Oxford Road between 95th Street and Highway 287. Mike Foster, agricultural resources manager with the county, said that the county had installed equipment called "solar bees" in the lake to help reduce odor complaints; they do this by churning the lake water. Due to decreased water levels, these bees were no longer floating and instead stuck in the mud; as such, they needed to be removed....
Upon losing her father in adolescence, Dr. Patti Ashley knew she wanted to be a counselor. Since then, she has earned degrees in special education, early childhood education and psychology. She has been a licensed, professional counselor since 2000 and in addition to developing courses for physicians, hospital wellness programs and others, she owns and operates Authenticity Architects. Next month, she will be bringing her 40 years of experience to the TEDxCU stage with her talk "Demystifying...
Niwot's silver and green take on new meaning as the school has been recognized by the Youth Sustainability Board as a Green Star School. The program is part of a collaboration between Eco-Cycle and schools within Boulder County. Certification is recognized when schools are able to reduce up to two-thirds of their waste. "For the students, this [certification] means that sustainability and commitment to the environment have become more top-of-mind as we try to waste less," said senior member of t...
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...
A group of school children sits or stands at the front of the class, one apart from the rest. One, or perhaps a few adults sit at a table facing the children with a crowd of parents and students behind them. It's the spelling bee. Since at least 2018, Sunset Middle School has hosted the event with varying levels of participation, this year, there was a record number of 18 participants and according to co-hosters Tanya Gaurmer (language) and Katie Silverberg (special education), it was "a huge...
Many have dubbed America to be a melting pot of cultures that has coagulated into something unique. Other scholars argue that the country is more of a tapestry, where some cultures are maintained and others are transformed. For Francesca Ciancimino Howell, this tapestry metaphor seems more relevant–as an Irish-Italian-American, her unique heritage greatly inspired her academic studies. These studies, in turn, inspired her 2018 academic work "Food, Festival and Religion", which will be d...
Sarah Campbell has always had a passion for fashion and community. Over the years, she has tried on a variety of career hats. Locally, she participated in the Little Holiday Shops and even a previous iteration of The Little Shop. As of Jan. 1, 2022, she became The Little Shop's official owner and is thrilled about the reopening. "It's wonderful, and we just reopened two weeks ago," she said smiling. "We completely redid the flooring, [there's] a new coat of paint, new furniture [and] we've had...
Growing up in Skåne, Sweden, Martin Marks and his brother, Mike, loved music. "It can be life-changing or just something that brightens your day but without it, our lives are certainly empty," said Marks. Together, they started a band and began traveling the world, performing in Stockholm, Los Angeles, Boulder and more. Their music even extended to iconic venues like The Troubadour and reached as high as #2 on the MTV Nordic Top Five. Eventually, Marks settled in California and ran a music...
The 17th century is considered the "Golden Age" of Dutch painting. Many are familiar with such masters as Rembrandt, and what was particularly notable about Dutch painting at the time was its developing focus on still life. These still life paintings are abundant with flowers and abundant with inspiration for local florist Sarah Cioni. "[In 2020] I was on a phone interview and [the reporter] asked me what's my favorite design and I instantly said 'Dutch master painter.' It's always been my...
Sofiya Ivanova has always been creative, dabbling in creative writing and songwriting, but poetry is what really captures her interest. "It feels holy," she said, almost wistfully, describing the writing process as something akin to flying, or an out of body experience. "Art," and poetry specifically, she said, "Is the way positive energy can be channeled." For Ivanova, poetry has been present throughout her life–whether she was trying to make sense of a Lyme Disease diagnosis or make sense o...
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...
In 2010, Nicole and Gerry Wienholt made a dream into reality as they opened the first Yoga Pod in Boulder. During that time, Yoga Pod quickly grew and was even franchised so that the Wienholts could spread their passion and joy with others. They have since left that path and, 11 years later, decided to focus their energy on opening a second location in south Longmont. "We truly believe yoga is life changing and transformational. It feels incredible to be able to offer yoga to this community,"...
It’s two weeks into the New Year and everyone knows what that means–New Year’s Resolution time. Many Americans will make some sort of decision related to health and wellness, especially with the ever-present COVID pandemic wreaking havoc in our lives. “New year, new me,” as the saying goes. But in speaking with Scott Meier of Haystack Muay Thai and Maurice Henriques of REAL Training, “new me” seems like it’s extending beyond one’s physique. “Sometimes people get caught up in all the results,” said Henriques, a former CU athlete who is also t...
For much of Thursday Dec. 30, Coloradans were glued to various news sources, waiting for updates about the Marshall Fire, which spread quickly across the Marshall-Superior-Louisville area of Boulder County. At the same time, five miles west of Niwot, the Middle Fork Fire also spread quickly, but was soon contained. Emergency response, at first, largely focused on preserving life and evacuating people from homes, stores and more. Actively fighting the fires was difficult early on, especially...
In the early hours of the morning in Oct. 2017, a fire broke out on the 200 block of Franklin Street in historic Niwot. While no one was physically hurt, the community felt the loss of Colterra restaurant, with the "barn building" badly burned and deemed uninhabitable. Years, public forums, a development moratorium and a property sale later, redevelopment is finally set to begin. Chef Bradford Heap bought the property, which had been home to Le Chantecler restaurant. He opened the popular...
After pausing mid-season due to the pandemic, the Centennial State Ballet (CSB) was elated to return to Niwot High School to perform The Nutcracker this year. The 2021 production marks the company's tenth anniversary season and has moved from a completely online model to a hybrid one, offering in person performances in addition to the live-streamed option. "Last season, we filmed our performances at locations around Longmont, partnering with local businesses and organizations to bring the story...
Books are wonderful gifts because of their versatility. Especially now with the holidays, they allow you to travel to different places and times, all while staying comfortably snug at home. Whether you're a library fan, local bookshop lover, or an online shopper, we've got a few holiday/winter suggestions for our Courier readers. Another option, thanks to The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop, is to buy a bookshop gift card, which supports local bookstores. Niwot's Inkberry Books has a large...
Meals on Wheels ((MOW) provides so much more than hot food to its clients in Longmont and Niwot. The organization also provides wellness checks, and because of those checks, they were inspired to start an emergency pet assistance program. "A few years ago we had a few clients over the course of a couple years who did not want to go to the hospital on paramedics' suggestions," said Katherine Wiser, the Longmont MOW development and communications director. "And the reason was that they didn't know...
Grief is a difficult thing. On one hand, we're often told to go through the stages, heal and move on. But on the other hand, it's not clear how long those stages "should" last, and we can be pressured to feel as though the healing is complete before we're ready. What I love about Niwot resident Ellen Haswell's book, "A Little Book of Words for Those Who Grieve,'' is that the whole book takes you through the process, and while it's a short read, it feels like you can take your time. With only 59...
On a chilly Thursday night, the courtyard behind Front Range Community College's (FRCC) classroom building was dark and still. But voices could be heard; behind a massive tree, a white dome hid, and in it, a group of students and community members learned about the stars. "The college needs to be connected to the community," said Anthony Smith, an astronomy professor at FRCC, and host of that night's event. "That's why I'm really happy we're finally actually doing some PR and some outreach. I...
Jane Austen, by way of the character Caroline Bingley said, "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading." This is a sentiment shared by many bookworms and writers alike, and it's also a sentiment expressed by a few of the authors at the Wandering Jellyfish's holiday author fair last Saturday. Instead of the formal book readings the shop has previously hosted, Saturday was an opportunity for authors to connect with their readers, chat with customers and sign books. There, local...
One day in 2012, a group of moms got together for lunch. All of them had gone to college, and all were part of PEO International, which seeks to help women with their higher education goals. With children of their own, many of whom would soon graduate high school, these mothers wondered how they would best be able to help them. Inspired, they began an annual Q&A event that included counselors, parents of students who had graduated, students who were now in college, and there was one aim–how d...
Many see libraries as central fixtures of a community, but many also simply see libraries as buildings that house books and movies. Libraries have the opportunity to provide so much more than that. Oakland, Calif., has a tool library, where people can rent out equipment; Memphis, Tenn's central library, which is a National Medal Winner, has a studio called CLOUD901. This studio boasts professional grade lighting, film and editing equipment which is available to the community, specifically...
When she was five years old, Ana Maria Hernando knew she wanted to be an artist. "I just love drawing and painting and I love the sensation of being lost in creating," she said. Hernando was born in Argentina, studied at the National School of Fine Arts and eventually moved to Berkeley, Calif. to continue her studies. Now living in Niwot, she has been a Colorado resident for more than 20 years. Since then, Hernando has been a professional artist, dabbling in painting, sculpture, poetry,...
Every year, the state of Colorado receives money–custodial funds–from the federal government, settlement dollars from lawsuits and through gifts and grants. These funds are generally set aside to fund particular legislative programs, for example, emergency wildfire or COVID funds. These monies are currently handled by the state treasurer and individual agencies who oversee the disbursement to various programs. However, Amendment 78 seeks to change this model and instead have all custodial funds go through the state legislature. The ame...
On Oct. 6, the City of Boulder announced the formation of the Library District Advisory Committee (LDAC). This committee is an advising body, rather than a decision-making body, and the council chose 12 representatives out of 37 online applications. The application process largely focused on applicants' demographic data (age, ethnicity, income), and asked questions about how applicants planned to best represent the various perspectives in and around Boulder. Joni Teter, longtime library...
What do the technology industry and education field have in common? According to Natalie Abshier, both require active listening and negotiation. She believes that her experience as both a business owner and manager will make her a unique candidate for the SVVSD Board of Education. She is currently running for the District F area, which includes Mead and much of Longmont. "I'm a long-time resident in the SVVSD community, and have seen this area grow," said Abshier. "I understand the importance...
Education is in Sarah Hurianek's blood–a number of family members were and are educators, and she has worked in early childhood education for over 20 years. In addition to her on-the job experience, she has been an active member of the Mead community and even graduated from Skyline High School in the St. Vrain Valley School District herself. Her husband Noah Hurianek, also a teacher, grew up in Niwot where both of his parents, Dennis and Nancy Hurianek, were long-time teachers. "Serving as a b...
On Nov. 2, Coloradans will be asked to vote on a measure that would raise taxes on marijuana sales, divert funds from the State Trust Lands and create a new state agency. This agency, the Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress Program (LEAP) would provide out-of-school learning and enrichment opportunities for children between the ages of 5 and 17 years old. LEAP would then certify individuals and/or groups as educational providers for these out-of-school programs. Licensed teachers who wish to be providers would also have to go through the...
As a self-proclaimed "serial volunteer and community member," SVVSD Board of Education member Karen Ragland has been involved in the local educational community since 2007. She started in parent groups and other organization committees before being elected to the Board in 2017. Much of her professional background is in mental health counseling, healthcare consulting and project management. Between her professional experience and having a masters in Community Counseling, she brings a diverse set...
I'm back with another Inkberry Books review and I'm very excited to share my thoughts. Author Brice Austin takes readers on seven relatively short journeys with various characters in The Afterlife Road. These are stories that, at first glance, may seem mundane--a guy who doesn't want anything to do with the family business, another mourning for a beloved family pet, or a girl who almost drowns while taking a pit stop during a bicycle race. Austin is a talented author: he is descriptive and knows...
On a cool, cloudless Sunday morning, people flocked to the space between the Museum of Natural History and the Mary Rippon stage on the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) campus. The group was made up of students, educators and community volunteers, all sharing one goal: categorize and learn about apple trees as part of this year's Apple Blitz, sponsored by the Boulder Apple Tree Project (BATP). "I'd say there's no other fruit that's adapted to this country as the apple," said artist and blitz...
Niwot's summer concert series Rock & Rails is a special event. But it doesn't just provide the setting for people to chat and hang out while listening to live music. Rock & Rails was also the catalyst for Niwot to push toward a standard of zero waste. Zero waste means limiting trash as much as possible, usually by swapping out single-use packaging, utensils, etc. for either recyclable or compostable options. "There's no such thing as total zero waste," said Jill Whitener, one of the people invol...
Thirteen years ago, Boulder County saw a gap in its service to its younger residents. The Integrated Managed Partnership for Adolescent and Child Community Treatment (IMPACT) director at the time was instrumental in establishing the county's youth mentoring program; IMPACT works to assist youth (from 0 to 18-years-old) to match them with intervention services when needed. Since establishing the program, hundreds of youths throughout the county have been matched with adults, who have gone...
Early on the morning of Sept. 12, cyclists flocked to the University of Colorado, Boulder to participate in the Buffalo Bicycle Classic (BBC). In years past, the BBC saw approximately 1,200 riders; in light of COVID, there was a virtual race and a decrease in numbers for the in-person 2020 event. However, this year, co-organizer Jenny Anderson was proud to announce that there were 1,100 riders participating in nine different routes. So, whether participants were seasoned cyclists or so-called...
Visitors to Cottonwood Square were able to enjoy their brunch in style thanks to the Jazz Brunch on Saturday, Sept. 4. Sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) and with the work of co-champions Gene Hayworth and Keith Waters, the inaugural Niwot Jazz Festival was in full swing. "We've had a fantastic day. It's a good crowd and there's really such a wonderful community effort in putting the whole thing together. It's been a pleasure, and the music is fantastic," said Hayworth. The...
On Saturday, Aug. 28, the Niwot community celebrated bees for their contribution to our world--without them, flowers would have fewer pollinators and we certainly wouldn't have honey without them. In recognition of bees, the Niwot Business Association and event champions Deborah Read Fowler and Victoria Keen hosted the Honey Bee Harvest Festival. The celebration included a panel of speakers throughout the day, live music, family activities and more, all throughout Niwot. Niwot resident Jerry...
Tuesday, Aug. 17, marked the first day of school not only for incoming freshman students, but for nine new teachers at Niwot High School. From new science teachers to a new counselor, the NHS faculty and staff will look a little different this year, and they all seem very excited. "Teaching and inspiring others is something that I have always loved and am looking forward to continuing to do so here," said Nathan Gravelding, who will be joining the science department. A Colorado native, Graveldin...
From the time Cotton Burden was in the sixth grade, he knew he would be a lawyer. After a stint in the Navy as an aircrewman and a Bachelor of Science degree from the Leeds Business School at the University of Colorado, Burden accomplished that goal and graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1981. It was during that time that he also obtained a real estate broker's license, setting him up for his current role as president and in-house counsel of Burden Incorporated, which...
This August marks the 36th annual Sunrise Stampede organized by the St.Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation. Founded in 1986, the race was first organized by the Longmont Sunrise Lions Club and sponsored by Mountain Bell as a way to support students. The Education Foundation partnered with the Stampede for the first time in 2016, updating the race route to one that starts and ends at Silver Creek High School. As for the 2021 race, students, families and the planning committee alike seem to...
On July 14, across from the Niwot Market, friends and curious community members found themselves at Sarah Cioni's new shop Belle Terre. Some came to welcome her back to Niwot, others came for the free snacks and flowers, others came just to take a selfie with Marie Antoinette. "I'm so happy about the turnout, and I think her shop is amazing," said Sarah Smith, a friend and former colleague of Cioni's. There were quite a few people at the grand opening of the shop--it was packed with people...
