All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Ok. Snow laid a thick coat over Niwot this last weekend and reminded me of the excitement of "snow days." Whatever happened to "snow days?" Remember those days when you would wake up to a blanket of snow and listen to the radio or watch the T.V. at 6:00 a.m. for "school closures?" We would huddle in the darkness of dawn desperately hoping they would name our school. We waited to know if we had to go get ready for school. We would cheer when we came to "St. Vrain Valley Schools." Sadly, that...
Ok. I consider myself a pro at supermarket shopping. I started "going to the store" for my mom since I could drive. Things have changed since then. I recently went to the market and after frantically trying to find that particular chocolate brownie Quest bar my husband likes, the special kale and avocados my daughter prefers, and a jar of tahini so I don't have to make it myself, I was inevitability faced with the dilemma of how to check out and still make my dental appointment on time. So, I...
Ok. I have a friend whose primary language is not English. Sometimes she will ask me to explain something she heard that just doesn’t make any sense to her. For example, she recently asked me what “long in the tooth” means. She couldn’t figure out why someone thought long teeth were either an appropriate thing to comment upon or that it had anything to do with anything. Of course, I responded by telling her to get off her high horse and look it up. Well, needless to say, that didn’t go swimmi...
OK. We have all seen the 1937 Disney animated movie “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Or have we? My son says he has never seen it, but I assure you, he has. I grew up going to the movie theater whenever “Snow White” was showing, with great excitement. It may not be “Avatar,” but it was a breakthrough miracle of animation in its time. Of course, I related to Snow White, the beautiful housekeeper who happens to be a princess. She was beautiful, could sing with the birds, had an Evil Queen stepm...
The newspaper you are reading is now published by a newly formed nonprofit corporation, known as Left Hand Valley Courier. For over 26 years, the Left Hand Valley Courier newspaper was published by a Colorado limited liability company, known as Lefthand Valley Publishing, LLC. Effective with the Jan. 3, 2024, online edition, the weekly newspaper, both online and in print every four weeks, is now owned and published by Left Hand Valley Courier. Left Hand Valley Courier has applied for...
Ok. January looms ahead. Is it just me, or does it feel like January is the longest month of the year? After all the hoopla of the holidays, January tends to be pretty quiet. You have pushed the reset button on the year and now it's time to get your life back to "normal." The visitors have left, your kitchen is relatively back in order and aside from Martin Luther King Day, not much to look forward to. I like to have something to look forward to on the calendar. And I have nothing on the...
This week’s casserole submission comes from Leni Checkas. It is a vegetarian take on the classic tuna casserole. Enjoy! Next week we will feature your best hot toddy or mulled wine recipes fit for cold January evenings. Send your recipe to editorial@lhvc.comeditorial@lhvc.com Mock Tuna-Noodle Casserole Mock Tuna Ingredients ½ cup chickpea flour 2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast ¾ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper 2 Tablespoons olive oil 2 tsp lemon juice ½ cup water ½ cup chickpeas, cooked 1 tsp vegan fish oil (optional; see notes) Casserole Ingred...
With the new year, many of us resolve to change something in our lives. “New Year’s Resolutions” sounds a little daunting but really, small changes can make a difference. Whether it is to eliminate a behavior or add a behavior or perhaps treat yourself to a new experience, there are many good reasons to start the year with a “clean slate” and resolve to make 2024 a better year. The Courier staff shares some of their resolutions below. Maybe they might inspire you to do the same. Detox from sugar. Enjoy my family before my daughter leaves fo...
Ok. 2023 is just about over and 2024 is patiently waiting to arrive. It is the time of year usually set aside for reflection. At the same time, it is the time of year when we are pretty exhausted from the holidays. The week between Christmas and New Year's is when work is slow, visitors start to leave, and the house is a mess. In other words, you are out of your routine and don't really know what to do with yourself. I am not sure that this is the optimal time to be making new year's...
The theme for the week is New Year's celebrations. So we asked our readers for white cookie recipes and festive new year's cocktail recipes. As usual, they did not disappoint. We received recipes for Russian Tea Cakes, Italian Christmas cookies, Mexican wedding cookies, and German Lebkuchen. Who knew how many New Year's cocktails there are? Here are our top picks: Russian Tea Cakes Ingredients 1-½ cups butter 3 cups powdered sugar 1 egg yolk 1 tsp. vanilla ½ cup chopped pecans...
Gunbarrel residents met at the Niwot United Methodist Church on Lookout Road on Dec. 17 to discuss the "Tennis Center of the Rockies" proposed to be built at 5701 N. 79th Street in unincorporated Boulder County. The 19.73-acre property is located just north of Lookout Road on the west side of 79th Street adjacent to the Church of the Lookout (formerly Vinelife Church). That area is sometimes referred to as "Gunbarrel Hill." A Planning Application dated Nov. 22, 2023, and filed Dec. 5, 2023, for...
Let's talk about gift giving. 'Tis the season, after all. But, whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, a birthday, a baby shower, or a wedding, gift giving can be fraught with peril. Gift choices seem to fall into two camps: Easy and hard. When offered a gift registry, it is easy. You simply look at the price point, the category and decide. Help for a honeymoon? Part of a $1000 stroller? Or a cookie sheet. You know it will be welcome and the recipient will be pleased because, well, they...
As of January 1, 2024, the Left Hand Valley Courier will be owned and published by a Colorado nonprofit corporation. In an effort to continue to bring local news to residents and businesses of the Niwot-Gunbarrel area, the owners of Lefthand Valley Publishing, LLC, publisher of the Left Hand Valley Courier newspaper for over 26 years, have made plans to transfer the newspaper to a newly formed nonprofit corporation known as Left Hand Valley Courier. The new format will allow the Courier to seek public support from readers who realize the...
Ok. We are in the middle of that hectic time between Thanksgiving and New Year's where the vast number of tasks staring at you can be overwhelming. Tasks in addition to your normal life's tasks. It doesn't help anxiety levels when everywhere you go, someone asks, "So, are you ready for Christmas?" Do I look ready for Christmas? My hair is standing on end, and I have twenty notes with Christmas present ideas falling out of my purse. Let's streamline the process a bit. What makes the holiday...
Ok. We put up our Christmas tree this past weekend. When I say "put up our Christmas tree," I mean it is upright with lights on it. Most of the lights even work. We consider that a victory. We used to put up a live tree every year. Two of them. One in the living room and one in the family room. Also a small tree in each of the kids' rooms. I was an overachiever, I know. I can't imagine how I did that. I am now down to one now. We eventually decided it was environmentally irresponsible to kill...
OK. Thanksgiving just happened and we are all probably still recovering. People generally love Thanksgiving. They stop their day-to-day routine and visit with friends and family, many of whom they may not have seen since the same time last year. It is also an opportunity to pause and reflect upon what you are thankful for and express that thanks to those who should hear it. It truly is a beloved holiday. If people are willing to travel huge distances, prepare for weeks, spend a lot of money,...
Ok. We are all thankful for many things in our lives. When it's time to go around the Thanksgiving table and recite all the things we are thankful for, I get a little choked up. I am certainly thankful for my husband, my family, my friends, and my health. I am thankful for the roof over my head, the food on the table, my dog, Emma, and so very thankful for the angels among us. I am thankful for my job, lunch with my friend and my book clubs. I am thankful for that incredible view of the...
Elise Marylander, who has served as Assistant Editor of the Left Hand Valley Courier since July 2022, has dropped "Assistant" from her title, and is now the Editor of the Courier. Bruce Warren, who had served in dual roles of Managing Editor and Editor of the Courier since April 2022 when former editor Jocelyn Rowley left to take a full-time position with a Loveland newspaper, will continue to serve as Managing Editor of the Courier. Marylander's duties as Editor include determining content for...
Ok. It’s that pumpkin spice latte time of year. Seriously, that’s a big thing. I guess when the weather gets colder, people just have a hankering for pumpkin. It used to be just pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread. Now it’s pumpkin candles, pumpkin sauces, pumpkin soup, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin muffins, and even pumpkin ravioli. But let’s get back to that harbinger of the holiday season, pumpkin spice latte. Remember when your choices for coffee were black or with cream and/or sugar? That was it....
Ok. Daylight Savings Time strikes again. You might remember how I feel about it. But here's the thing. We gained an hour. But did we really? No. We just go to bed later and get up earlier. Or is it the other way around? In any event, the days seem shorter, the wind is ripping the leaves off the trees, and the weather is bound to get colder. We all know what cold weather around here can mean. But I had to learn the hard way. When I first moved to Colorado from sunny California in March of that...
Ok. I have Covid. I have no idea where I got it since I barely go anywhere. But what I do know is that Covid is no fun. And not funny. I know some people have mild cases, others have serious symptoms, and many have long term effects. In my case, so far, it is like a bad cold. I'm fine. I am one of those lucky people who rarely get sick. My husband, on the other hand, just has to hear that a cold or flu or a stomach ailment is "going around" and he starts coming down with every symptom. So being...
Ok. Halloween is looming. It’s the first holiday wave. Undoubtedly, some of you have been buying and eating candy since Labor Day. Many have been making costumes, buying costumes or just thinking about costumes for weeks. Those messy pumpkins have been carefully carved. It is a big deal for all the kids (and adults) to go trick or treating and bring home all that loot just to consume it all in one big tummy ache. But let’s review. Halloween is not for everyone. Basically, people fall into two...
The owners of a 39-acre property located at the southwest corner of Niwot Road and 63rd Street chose to indefinitely table their application to create a total of ten residential lots on their property, including the existing residence. The application indicated that Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) would be purchased from Boulder County Parks and Open Space for the additional lots. The property is located within Boulder County’s Rural Residential zoning district and has a number of significant designations in the Boulder County C...
Ok. Fall has arrived. Or, as I like to say, "autumn" has arrived. What happened to that word "autumn?" It's a pretty word for a pretty time of year without the negative implications of "fall." "Fall" sounds a bit dangerous, don't you think? I don't need reminders of the icy roads ahead. Fun fact: The autumnal equinox occurred on Sept. 23 and marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The sun is directly above the equator on the equinox. That is all well and good from a scientific...
Ok. Remember when you were a kid and all you wanted out of that long road trip to some great destination like Mount Rushmore was to stop at a motel for the night and get into the swimming pool? I do. My parents and six children traveled across the country at least five times. Each time, all I could think about was whether the next Motel 6 or Best Western had a swimming pool. And we would happily forgo dinner to throw on our bathing suits and jump into an often over-chlorinated indoor swamp of a...
Ok. Why does bread have such a bad rap? Bread has been around since the beginning of time. Basically, flour and water, it is a staple in one form or another around the world. The centerpiece of any gathering, a symbol of community and hospitality, bread is a mainstay of every meal. Toast for breakfast, sandwiches at lunch and a good hunk of bread at dinner to wipe up your gravy. At what point did bread become a bad thing? Today bread is often considered a high carb, low fiber, low protein, low n...
It seems anytime you look at a map of the area, you see a reference to "Farmers Ditch." Farmers Ditch basically travels from Boulder Creek, meanders by Lake Valley Estates off of Niwot Road, and ends at the west shore of Boulder Reservoir. It was constructed in 1862 and is managed by The Farmers Ditch Company. There are several other ditches carved into the county which all have water supply and farming irrigation as their impetus. There is Star Ditch, Johnson Ditch, Hinman Ditch, Boulder &...
Ok. Have you gone to any of your high school reunions? You know, where you reconnect and reminisce with old friends? I just got back from mine in California where I saw people I hadn't seen for 35 years. In the days prior to the event, I was filled with anticipation, excitement, and a bit of anxiety. I was really looking forward to seeing people who were a big part of those formative years. And let's be honest, I wanted to look good. We need to unpack this a bit. Let's start with why I decided...
Ok. The word "Costco," always generates some kind of reaction. "Oh my God, I love Costco!" or "Have you been to the new one? It's great (or 'different' or 'hard to find anything' or 'so nice')," or "Oh, I only shop local." Well, the new Costco in Longmont opened and for a long time I think I was the only person in the county who hadn't stopped by. (Incidentally, no one simply "stops by" Costco. Costco is an hour-long shopping adventure). Let me explain. Although I am a proud Costco member, I...
Ok. How often have you opened the refrigerator looking for inspiration for dinner, then you grab some salad makings, spot some Tupperware, and exclaim, “How old is this chicken?” Chances are you have leftover chicken something. Perhaps chicken tikka masala, chicken shawarma, orange chicken, chicken piccata, chicken saltimbocca, or an old chicken pot pie. Why is chicken so prevalent in our diets? When did that happen? Chicken started as an inexpensive alternative to steak. It soon became a diet f...
Ok. It's that time again. Some dread it, others can't wait for it. I am talking about going back to school. As a parent, you might be happy to see some structure begin and a quiet house for a few hours. For kids, you might be looking forward to seeing your friends again and getting on with this thing called "education." Personally, as a parent, I missed my kids when they went back to school. Of course, I got over it in about a week. As a kid, it was my worst time of year. Let me explain. My birt...
Ok. Look down at your phone. You know that little piece of wonder we used to call a "telephone?" Chances are, you are already doing that. Do you know anyone who doesn't have a cell phone? Probably not. What used to be our primary form of connection to the outside world has now become almost our only connection to the outside world and our main source of communication, information, and entertainment. Phones today put the Encyclopedia Britannica out of business. Where would we be without our ubiqu...
Ok. Where did you go for your summer vacation? It's a question wrought with landmines, isn't it? Every spring the pressure to plan an epic summer vacation for you and your family begins. The kids are out of school, the weather is good and so it's a great time to get out and spend some family time together and make some memories you will look back at with a smile and a story. And you also know you have that distinct responsibility to give the kids something to write about when asked on the first...
The Colorado Press Association announced that three Left Hand Valley Courier writers have received awards for the 2022 Colorado Better News Media Contest. Kristin Alger, Jack Carlough and Mary Wolbach Lopert have won awards for their work on the Courier. Alger has been writing for the Courier since 2022, though she has a wealth of experience in journalism. Carlough, a Silver Creek High School graduate who earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado, College of Media,...
Ok. Have you ever traveled, called a friend across the country, watched the Olympics or the World Cup and realized figuring out the time difference can be a hefty math problem? I am talking about time zones. You may know the U.S. has six time zones (not including its territories). So, you may live in the same country as your east coast cousin, but you may be just getting off work when they are sound asleep for the night. And think about this: Why does the U.S. have six time zones, Russia has 11...
Ok. How many cars have you owned in your life? If you are young, maybe one or two (or maybe zero). If you are older, undoubtedly several. Your car history is like an archeological dig into your life. Let me explain. Some people carefully choose what they drive, others just need transportation, and still others don't really have a choice. And is your identity somehow wrapped up in the car you drive? In Southern California, the answer is a clear "yes." Here in Colorado, well, you decide. After an...
Ok. Some of us are starting to go back to the movie theaters after the big Covid drought. I have seen "Maverick" so far, which doesn't make me an expert but was an exciting way to get my movie-feet wet again. I think we are all a bit rusty, so perhaps a movie-manners refresher might be in order. Let me tell you a story so you know what I am talking about. It was date night, pre-Covid. My husband and I had planned for a week to go see the new "Captain America" movie. It was a very popular movie a...
Ok. Let's think about trust. Yeah, I know, it's a big topic. A little out of my bailiwick, perhaps, but it is pretty universal, so, not really. The Google says "trust" means, "A firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something." That's a tall order. So, let's narrow it down. I am not talking here about the kind of trust with a capital "T," like whether we trust our spouse, our family, or our friends to stick by us through thick or thin. I also don't mean the...
Ok. Do you use your middle initial? Some people do and some people don't. I can see why you would use it to distinguish yourself from all the other "John Smiths" out there. I can see why you would use it to score an email address that would be otherwise taken. Some people use it out of habit. Others use it to sound important. Some just like the way it sounds. And some people don't have a middle name. But the whole middle initial thing gets complicated. What about hyphenated names? If your name...
Ok. Do you remember P.E.? Or, as I like to remember it, "PTSD." You know, that class called "Physical Education" or some variant? Some remember P.E. with exhilaration. Some remember it with humiliation. I mainly fall in the latter category. Many of you have probably buried those middle school and high school days but I am going to try to jog your memory around the proverbial track. Although P.E. class entailed being physical, I am not sure what kind of "education" I received. I do remember...
Ok. Now I know we live in one of the most healthy, athletically inclined, outdoor oriented places in America. In fact, I remember when I first moved here, I was asked, "What do you do?" Call me crazy but I thought they meant what do I do for a living, or what is my profession. As I mumbled something about corporate law and estate planning, I was interrupted with, "No, I mean what do you do, like sports." My eyes grew wide as I again fumbled for an appropriate and Boulder-friendly response. Dorot...
Ok. Do you remember when you were a kid and you would leave the house in the morning and be gone all day with nothing but your bike? No hat, no sunscreen, no water bottle, no cell phone, no Google maps, no tracking device, and most importantly, no SNACKS! Each of those deserves some discussion but let's just focus on snacks. When did we suddenly need to eat every hour or so? There is snack time at school, snacks at every practice and game, snacks in the car, snacks at the lake, snacks when you...
Ok. Let's talk about the weather. Or, rather, who doesn't talk about the weather? Whether it's with a cashier at the market, the receptionist at the doctor's office, your spouse, your friends, or nearly anyone, the default subject is often the weather. The range of subjects on this topic is vast. Today it is usually, "Oh, isn't it so nice that spring has finally come?" But it can easily be, "It's been so cold lately" which will soon morph into "It's been so hot lately." You hear the negative...
It was a fun-filled "Saturday in the Park" on June 3 as the Niwot Business Association held its Third Annual Lobsterfest at Whistle Stop Park in Niwot. The rainy skies cleared for this sunny charity event filled with over 150 friends, neighbors and family members which Deborah Fowler, an event organizer said raised over $3,000 to benefit the Niwot Sculpture Park, which is restoring the tree carvings created by Eddie Running Wolf. In addition to Fowler, the event was organized by Linda Klueber...
Ok. It's graduation time. Whether you are graduating yourself or you have a child, grandchild or other family member or friend who is graduating about now, we all know what a big step that is. The word "commencement" means both an end as well as a beginning. It's the celebration of the end of one of life's many chapters and the beginning of another. But don't let me be your commencement speaker. Heck, we could have the wisdom of Bill Gates, Oprah, Tim Cook, Maria Shriver, Arnold Schwarzenegger...
OK. Have you ever taken a trip with your adult siblings? I mean no spouses, no children. Just you guys? I recently took a trip to Lake Powell with five siblings and five other old friends, and two teenagers. Can we just talk about the logistics of that for a minute? Logistics for family events, whether reunions, birthdays, weddings or just a vacation can be daunting. But let's just focus on 12 people from various parts of the nation converging on a barren southwestern portion of our country...
OK. Keeping track of passwords has become a full time and often frustrating job. And I don't mean "Password" with Alan Ludden and Betty White. It used to be you just needed a password to get on your computer and maybe visit your bank statement. And let's be honest, most of the time you had a username like TomSmith and a password like "password." Or if you were feeling especially clever, you would choose "passw0rd." Now, it seems you need a password for everything: logging on to your computer,...
OK. Many of us enjoy a cocktail now and then. Actually, now sounds pretty good. Seriously, everyone has their first choice/go-to cocktail. You might order white wine, red wine, beer, gin and tonic, vodka soda or vodka Red Bull. Whatever. But let me tell you, the minute those words come out of your mouth, someone has just sized you up. I have found that it's not how much you drink but what you drink that gets everyone's attention. Wine? It is no longer just white or red. No, my friend, if it's...
OK. Raise your hand if you miss "TV Guide." I mean the pint-sized weekly magazine, not the website. I do. A lot. "TV Guide" ushered in the whole era of television watching starting in 1953, designating which shows were broadcast in "living color" in its familiar grid of times and channels. Do we even say "channels" anymore? "Channels" meant ABC, NBC, CBS, maybe one or two independent stations, and PBS, where all the "educational" shows were found. "Times?" That's prehistoric too. Now, you watch...
OK. We have all been on a diet. Whether it's to lose weight (me), avoid allergies (yeah, I am looking at you, gluten), improve your health, or just a lifestyle choice, we have all adopted a diet from time to time. Of course, sometimes that diet is hot dogs, pizza and hamburgers (and don't forget the onion dip and Fritos), but most often it is a choice of certain foods to obtain the desired result. In other words, we are what we eat. I believe diets fall into three basic categories: Food choice...
