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All Local, All The Time
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Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
The Colorado Press Association announced that three Left Hand Valley Courier journalists have been honored with 2023 Colorado Better New Media Contest awards. Deborah Cameron, Vicky Dorvee, and Elise S. Marylander are the recipients of awards recognizing excellence in local journalism. Awards are made by class based on newspaper circulation and are judged by out-of-state journalists. The winning articles, placement, and categories will be announced at the awards ceremony during the Colorado...
Kaiya Brown has been a member of the Niwot community for several years, during which she has become a familiar face and volunteer at events around Niwot. For her volunteer efforts throughout Niwot, Brown is the July 2024 recipient of the Left Hand Valley Courier's Left Hand Laurel. Brown has been volunteering as a Gargoyle at the local summer concert series Rock & Rails for three years, helping keep the event "zero-waste." As a middle schooler, Brown joined her school's "ECO Club." She would...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
Mountain View Fire Rescue reported on Instagram that just before 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, Boulder County Dispatch received a call reporting a potential grass fire near Niwot High School. When Battalion 2260 arrived on the scene, they found a grass fire on the east side of Cougar Trail, next to the Boulder and Left Hand Ditch, between the football field and tennis courts. The flames were in an area approximately 100 feet by 8 feet and about 5 feet high. The Cougar Trail is frequented by...
The Boulder County Commissioners have introduced a new hourly minimum wage, a development extensively covered in the Left Hand Valley Courier. This wage change will have a significant and concerning impact on unincorporated communities, and local farmers, a group that is distinct from the incorporated cities or towns and which therefore faces unique challenges. Michael Moss, owner of Kilt Farm, is the President of the Community Farmers Alliance (COFA) and is deeply concerned about the new...
On a blistering Thursday evening, The Long Run, Colorado's Eagles tribute band, returned to Whistle Stop Park for another memorable Rock & Rails performance. Despite the record-breaking heat, the night was filled with the sounds of classic rock and an enthusiastic crowd for the first concert of July. The evening kicked off with Danny Shafer, a seasoned singer-songwriter with over three decades of experience in the Colorado music scene. Sitting in the little shade he could find on the stage, Shaf...
The Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) approved funding for three items at its July 9, 2024 meeting. Flower Fest Kathy Trauner of Fly Away Home Decor presented an application from the Niwot Business Association (NBA) for the second annual Flower Fest event scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the application, Trauner wrote, "Flower Fest is designed to delight visitors and bring new customers to area businesses." "[W]e offer a 'Flower Journey' in which the first 150...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
The Long Run, Colorado's Eagles tribute band, has made its share of memories playing summer Thursday nights at Whistle Stop Park. Last year, the band's performance took place just a day after Randy Meisner, a founding member of The Eagles, passed away. Rock & Rails is the only concert on their schedule where the group plays from a gazebo. One of the things the band appreciates most about performing in Niwot is the enthusiastic crowds, ready to sing along and move, that come out to see them....
Do you live in Niwot? Do you like beer? Do you like a social atmosphere? Are you over the age of 50? If you answered "yes" to all of these questions, then you should check out the Niwot Community Connection's (NCC) subgroup "The Brewhop." Brewhop is just one of the many subgroups that have stemmed from the NCC. The NCC started as an informal organization in the Fall of 2021, providing a social forum for engagement with the target demographic of those over age 50 living in Niwot. During a time...
The Niwot Garden Club is an informal group of enthusiastic gardeners who share a love for gardening, flowers, and trees. The club's mission is to enhance the beauty of their yards and the community, promote sustainable gardening practices, and provide educational opportunities related to horticulture. Members enjoy getting down and dirty with the earth, planting and weeding, feeding, watering, and nurturing plant life. In the evenings, they often indulge in a leisurely "walkabout," perhaps with...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
Flags are in place, the parade lineup is set, bands are rehearsing, the road crew is organizing, volunteers are lined up, and the grand marshals are ready. The Niwot Community Associations's (NCA) signature event, the annual July 4th celebration in Niwot, is straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Hundreds are expected to turn out for a pancake breakfast, now named in honor of the late Niwot Market proprietor Bert Steele, in Cottonwood Square. But before it all starts, NCA volunteers and...
Ron Ivory and his band, One on One, kept everyone dancing and singing along to a never-ending stream of Motown hits, from The Temptations, to Diana Ross, to The Four Tops. One on One has become a staple of the Thursday night concert series, with a good crowd attending the event, in spite of gale-force winds. In spite of a threat of rain, which spared the Niwot area June 27, the concert went on uninterrupted. Jack Hadley opened for One on One, with original blues songs mixed with familiar covers...
Ben Rauschkolb has had an opportunity to contribute to Niwot High School (NHS) as an art student in a very special way. In his sophomore year, Rauschkolb had been taking photos of the school's athletics, clubs, and extracurricular activities for use in the Left Hand Valley Courier, as well as NHS's student run newspaper, The Green and Black, and the social media platforms of the individuals he photographs. "As far back as I can remember," Rauschkolb said, "I have been the one playing on the...
This October will have marked two years since long-time Niwot resident and businessman Craig "Lefty" Harris lost his life in a traffic accident at the intersection of the Diagonal Highway and Niwot Road. A little more than two months later, ownership of the beloved 2nd Avenue pizzeria that Harris left behind, was transferred to Maricela Vasquez and her husband, Lorenzo Villalobos, Harris' beloved employee who had worked for him for more than two decades. The transfer facilitated the community's...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
Merrick Blondeau has been a member of the Niwot Community for all 18 years of his life. Over the years he has become a familiar attendee and volunteer at events around the town. For his volunteer efforts over the years throughout Niwot, Blondeau is the June 2024 recipient of the Left Hand Valley Courier's Left Hand Laurel. Blondeau recently graduated from Niwot High School with the class of 2024. From the NHS drumline to choir and musical theater, to various clubs, Blondeau has been involved in...
The main hall of Niwot Community Hall, the home of Left Hand Grange No. 9, is all alight with beautiful new features: suspended light fixtures on the ceiling and sconces on the walls. More improvements are in the works for the main hall. In the next month, the mirrored wall and curtains will be removed and that section will be repaired and painted, and wainscoting will be installed to match the rest of the room. Thanks to the time, effort, and generosity of Niwot Business Association...
Rock & Rails summer concerts continue on Thursday, June 27, with the opening act starting at 5 p.m. and the headliner lighting up the stage at 6:30 p.m. This week, opener Jack Hadley, a blues guitarist and vocalist, will start off the night with original compositions as well as familiar blues tunes. Hadley is a well-versed and experienced musician who has spent many years refining and discovering his skills as a performer. His most recent project was released in April, entitled, "Jack Hadley -...
It's never good when rain and hail blow through an outdoor concert venue an hour before the event is scheduled. That's what happened in advance of the Rock & Rails program on June 20, 2024. However, in typical Colorado fashion, the skies cleared quickly and fortunately the weather remained delightful throughout the evening. The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band kicked off the event with selections consistent with the evening's country and Southern rock theme. A large group of 28...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
The Alcapones brought a mix of horns, vocal harmonies and rock to Rock & Rails last Thursday, June 13. The band performed to a generous crowd on a hot summer night in Niwot. Tim Ostdiek and Jenny opened the evening with an hour of folk rock tunes, including familiar songs as well as originals by Ostdiek, who has produced several CD's including his latest, titled "The Lost Days." Ostdiek and his partner, Jenny Balagna, are based out of Longmont, and have been entertaining crowds at Rock & Rails...
Located in Longmont, Colorado, a minute or so off of Highway 287, the St. Vrain Valley School District's Innovation Center, normally referred to as the Innovation Center, stands at the center of educational advancement and community engagement. This state-of-the-art facility, paired with an array of programs, creates an atmosphere where students can develop real-world skills and foster a culture of innovation. The Innovation Center began in 2012 when the district received the prestigious Race to...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
Through the first week in June, residents may have noticed a larger-than-usual number of artists painting outdoors in Niwot and throughout Boulder County. They were working as part of the 2024 Open Studios Plein Air Festival, a juried experience open to artists throughout Colorado and the United States. This year's event was the first time the festival has been held since before the pandemic and last Saturday, the public had the first opportunity to view the results of their efforts, at an...
With an uncertain, unpredictable forecast leading up to Lobsterfest on Saturday, June 8, the weather cooperated and good times were had by all at this year's event at Whistle Stop Park in Niwot. Deb Fowler, one of three head organizers of the event from the Niwot Business Association (NBA) along with Mary Coonce and Linda Klueber, reported 140 tickets sold for this year. "[Lobsterfest] is a fun, signature event for Niwot to kick off the summer," Fowler said. "It's a great opportunity to build...
For many years now, the Saint Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) has offered students the opportunity to jumpstart their careers through the Innovation Center and the Career Elevation and Technology Center. Then, in 2016, SVVSD introduced a way for high school students to earn an associate degree along with their high school diploma, providing yet another great opportunity for local high school students. P-TECH, which stands for Pathways in Technology Early College High School, was first introduced in Colorado by the St. Vrain Valley School...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
As Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Joe Brown closed out Niwot High School's inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony, the echoes of applause reverberated through the auditorium, leaving a lasting impression on attendees. The five inductees – Tiny Koehler, Sue Prahl, Art and Debbi Stapp, Terri Ward, and Biff Warren– accepted the honor with grace, each telling stories the audience will not soon forget. On June 2, students, teachers, family, and friends gathered to recognize excellence. Dir...
Niwot's Lobsterfest is returning this Saturday, June 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Whistle Stop Park. While there have been over 100 tickets sold, there are still tickets left for the event, which is capped at 200 people. A $95 adult ticket includes entrance, a "Cape Codder" welcome cocktail, lobster, sides, designer cookies, and ice cream. At a cost of $35 for children, tickets include lobster mac and cheese, sides, designer cookies, ice cream, a juice box, and a fun-filled goodie bag. Beer, wine,...
Rock & Rails' 2024 season has begun. The Left Hand Valley Courier will be featuring volunteers at the event that are a major aspect of the weekly concerts. Volunteers are integral in the organization and operation leading up to and during Rock & Rails every year. The organizers of Rock & Rails have made great efforts to make it a zero-waste venue. If you are a regular or returning patron to the Thursday night concerts, you're probably familiar with the people who sit on top of the recycling and...
As the school year comes to a close, so do some of the articles about in school activities such as clubs. Throughout this year the Left Hand Valley Courier has covered Model United Nations, Best Buddies Club, Drama Club, NASA Club, A Capella Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Asian Student Association, Dance Club, Students for Rare Diseases, Political Action Club, Gender Studies Club, Coding Club, Earth Club, and finally Helping Hands Club. From community service to singing, each unique...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
NCA Clean-Up Day is sponsored by the Niwot Community Association and is one of Niwot's biggest events every year. One of the NCA's board members has always spearheaded the event since its conception over twenty years ago. One NCA board member has been involved with the program for over 10 years, and has served as the lead program manager for the past four years. For his volunteer efforts in managing and coordinating Niwot's Clean-Up Day, this month's Left Hand Laurel is awarded to John Barto. Ba...
Niwot High School announced its inaugural Hall of Fame class, "honoring a group of five remarkable individuals who have woven themselves into the very fabric of our school and community: Tiny Koehler, Sue Prahl, Debbi and Art Stapp, Terri Ward, and Biff Warren," in a press release. The Night of Champions Celebration will be held in the Niwot High School auditorium on Sunday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m. to not only celebrate the school's inaugural Hall of Fame inductees, but also the achievements of...
The main hall of Left Hand Grange No. 9 is in the midst of getting a big update. Improvements to the gathering space over the past year are now officially from floor to ceiling. In May, newly installed ceiling tiles and freshly painted walls renewed and greatly improved the space's ambiance. Both bathrooms have also been updated with new fixtures and paint. Next up, literally, will be new lighting fixtures. The Grange invites the public to stop in and to peer through the windows to get a good lo...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
The Niwot Community Association's annual Clean-Up Day event, held May 18, was its most successful to date. There were 203 vehicles that attended (including those who made multiple trips). In the days leading up to the event, there were 13 membership dues paid (new and/or renewed) with an additional 24 on the day of the event. The NCA currently tracks 34 new members who have signed up this year with many who still have not renewed their membership. New elements and accepted items that were incorp...
Dave and Maggie Lee of Niwot are kind and gracious. They know what they value and stand for, and they have focused on their values as much as possible during their long marriage. Prioritizing their family, pursuing meaningful work, nurturing longtime friendships and serving others through their church are consistent themes in their lives. Dave is from Pueblo, Colorado, Maggie from Salem and Portland, Oregon. The two met in high school after Dave's family moved to the Northwest. Dave graduated...
It is BBQ season! One delicious side dish at every BBQ is a summer pasta salad. Chock full of vegetables, flavor and a dish you make ahead of time. Enjoy just two examples here. SUMMER PASTA PRIMAVERA Adapted from Once Upon A Chef by Jenn Segal Submitted by Alyson Varvel Bell "A go-to summer salad that everyone loves!" Ingredients: 1¼ lbs (2 pints) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved 4 shallots, thinly sliced 5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
The Boulder Heritage Roundtable held its 32nd annual Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month awards ceremony at the Chautauqua Community House on May 8, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. There, Niwot's Kathy Koehler was presented with the Square Nail Award which recognizes individuals who have made significant and impactful movements toward historic and/or archaeological preservation/education in Boulder County. Koehler has been involved with the Niwot Historical Society (NHS) for over a decade and has...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is spotlighting various local neighborhoods, their history, issues and general nature. This week, the Courier is focusing on Gunbarrel Estates. Gunbarrel Estates has its roots in the early 1960s, when it was developed by Bowron Builders, Inc., the same company which created several subdivisions in Niwot. It's not only conveniently located near Gunbarrel's shopping, the Boulder Country Club, and employers such as Celestial Seasonings and IBM, it was thoughtfully...
Sales tax revenues for 2024 in Niwot continue to decline, based on data through February, with revenues down by 11% over the same period in 2023. Several funding requests were approved by the LID Advisory Committee (LID). Rock & Rails The 18th year of Rock & Rails, Niwot’s summer concert series, begins on Thursday, May 30, this year. The event takes place in Whistle Stop Park every Thursday night in June, July (except July 4th) and August, with 13 concerts total. Biff Warren, one of the three co-managers of the event, presented the funding r...
The Niwot Community Association held its monthly meeting on Wednesday May 8 at the Left Hand Grange No. 9 to discuss upcoming events, area reports, and provide a recap of what has happened in the past month. Coordinator John Barto reported that preparations are underway for the upcoming NCA Niwot Clean-Up Day, and should lead to a smooth running event on Saturday, May 18. Cooperation with affiliates from Boulder County, Western Disposal, Wildfire Partners, and Community Cycles has proven...
Whether you're a senior about to graduate or a close friend of a senior, the spring semester is always a bittersweet time of year. Niwot High School's spring concerts are an example of one of the "lasts" in which seniors participate during their final days of high school, and one such bittersweet experience. The Niwot High School bands, orchestras, and mariachi held their final concerts this past week on May 7 and 8 at the NHS auditorium. Both jazz bands, the percussion ensemble, and both sympho...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental!• The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email address and phone number. • By submitting a photo, you agree that the Courier, in its sole discretion, may publish it in any medium at any time and in any way it determines in return for your name appearing in print and bragging rights....
"Shocked," "I can't believe it," and "Oh, no!" were community members' immediate reactions to last week's announcement that Old Town Niwot's beloved 1914 House restaurant will close at the end of July. The shock changed to both sadness and gratitude, and then to concern over the future of other restaurants in Niwot and Boulder County. A couple of days later, a very frequent diner at 1914 House related his personal story of his relationship with the staff and other guests. The Niwot Community...
