All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Several years ago the Niwot Local Improvement District had a transportation and connectivity study done through Boulder County that identified a need for a dedicated parking lot in or near the business district downtown. Bruce Warren, who participated in the study, said that when parking usage downtown exceeds 74 percent of the available spaces open to the public, it’s time to explore options for a parking facility, and when it reaches 85%, it’s time to act. Anyone who frequents downtown Niwot can attest that often times it is hard to find par...
The Niwot LID Advisory Committee held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 1, and reviewed the budget reports prepared by county liaison Pete Salas and LID treasurer Harris Faberman. According to their figures, the LID has disbursed just over $41,753 in expenses so far this year and has committed to spend another $64,839, not counting the pending application, leaving about $26,408 in the budget for the year. This does not include the $192,025 recommended for approval last month for the purchase...
Sponsored by Fabulous Finds Upscale Consignment Successful writer and editor Alyssa Danigelis loves the freedom and flexibility of doing freelance work from her Gunbarrel home, but acknowledges there is a downside. Spending too much time alone can leave her feeling isolated. Realizing that volunteer work in the community might provide meaningful social interaction, Danigelis set out to find which available opportunity would best use her skills. She discovered a good match at Boulder County...
On Monday, Aug. 7, the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee held its annual joint meeting with the Boulder County Commissioners to provide them with a first-hand account of the state of affairs in Niwot. Commissioners Cindy Domenico and Deb Garder (Elise Jones was out of town) along with County staff Peter Salas, Michelle Krezek and Mark Ruzzin were joined by LID Co-Chairs Laura Skaggs, and Carrie Wise, Vice-Chair Jim Eastman, Treasurer Harris Faberman, and members Tony Sant... Full story
Niwot golfer Jack Hoover is the Left Hand Valley Courier Student-Athlete of the Week. Hoover, the Cougars’ number-one player this season, led Niwot to a top-ten finish at the Greeley West Spartan Invitational on Aug. 14. With an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole, the junior carded a 78 (+7), and ended the day tied for sixth place overall. In Niwot’s season-opening tournament in Loveland Aug. 10, he was +4 through eight holes when play was stopped due to severe weather. Niwot head coach Ed Weaver sa...
The Left Hand Valley Courier has been receiving multiple requests to stop delivering to a certain neighborhood, and we feel it is time to address the issue candidly. I’ve received emails about our “litter” and “trash” being distributed. The Courier also has strong support, and we appreciate all of the kind words from those that understand our purpose and goals with the service we provide. We are a free publication that covers your area. Many people work their tails off to get this paper out every week, the majority of whom work and live in your...
Eric Hejl (pronounced “Hail”) has been named the new Niwot High School boys basketball coach, replacing Preston Hardy, who resigned in June for family reasons, including a new baby on the way and club team coaching responsibilities. Hejl, a varsity assistant under Hardy last year and the freshman coach two years ago, will assume the reigns on a one-year interim basis, according to Athletic Director Chase McBride. Hejl works at Lake Valley Golf Course as a PGA apprentice and assistant pro when he is not coaching basketball. He grew up in Ran...
Niwot Fire House Restoration Project by the Niwot Historical Society needs help from the Niwot community, friends and neighbors! The Niwot Fire House is a symbol of Niwot heritage and is located in the Niwot Historic District. There are historic educational displays inside the building and the Niwot Historical Society hosts open house evenings, giving tours of the displays along with period story-telling by volunteers. The Niwot Historical Society is working with Porch Front Homes as our contractor on the restoration project. Fire House Museum...
The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 11, with several large expenditures on the agenda. Before hearing funding requests, members reviewed the July budget reports prepared by county liaison Pete Salas and LID treasurer Harris Faberman. According to their figures, the LID has disbursed just over $25,500 so far this year and has committed to spend another $39,806, not counting the pending applications, leaving just under $68,000 in the...
Summer time is construction time, and the area between Boulder and Longmont is no exception. There are several projects going on currently and that will start in the near future. Andrew Barth, communications director for the Boulder County Transportation Department, said that the reason so many run concurrently is a matter of cost-effectiveness. “Construction costs are increasing steadily and our funding has stayed relatively flat,” Barth said. “We’re trying to do more with the funding that’s... Full story
When Leandi Langenegger moved herself and her three children to Gunbarrel four years ago, she wondered how long it would take before they felt they belonged in Boulder County. Through her connection to Boulder Valley Christian Church, they found an extended family as well as community. Her contacts at the church led her to become involved in Camp for Change, which Langenegger credits for a dramatic shift in her goals and sense of purpose. Since becoming a volunteer at Camp for Change, she has en...
Peruvian shamanic healer Don Mariano will be paying a visit to Boulder County next month with a week’s worth of visits and other events. Christine Pateros of Whispering Stones in Boulder will be helping to facilitate the trip along with the ceremonies. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on July 14, there will be a despacho ceremony at Left Hand Grange Hall in Niwot. “In essence the despacho ceremony is honoring Mother Earth,” Pateros said. “It’s about nature, which is what we’re made of. It’s creating a man... Full story
Boulder County Transportation will begin a culvert replacement and roadway resurfacing project on North 83rd Street in Niwot starting at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21. The project boundaries are from Niwot Road on the southern end to the Diagonal Highway/CO 119 on the northern end. In order to safely accommodate the project, the road will either be reduced to a single lane in locations or completely closed. Work will take place between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Saturday work may be allowed, but only if absolutely necessary to...
Last week’s Rock & Rails had the Women’s International Niwot Club (WINC) as the beneficiary of the tip jars. WINC started a few years ago as a offshoot from Daughters of the British Empire in the area. Club President Deborah Read Fowler said that since its inception, most of the club’s donations have gone to the Niwot Children’s Park, but they also give to Children First of the Rockies and other charities. “At the end of the year we email members and ask them to nominate charities,” Fowler said...
The county’s preliminary plan for improving bike and pedestrian safety near Niwot Elementary School (NES) was met with opposition by area residents at a meeting held June 8 at the Left Hand Grange Hall. Two project phases were outlined by members of the transportation department staff, with Phase I slated for completion this summer. The construction phases are part of the St. Vrain Valley School District’s (SVVSD) goals for reducing car traffic while maximizing safety, according to co-presenter Cammie Piller Edson, a coordinator for the cou... Full story
Mother’s Day is a special holiday for Denise Dollar, not only because she values her role as mother to her two children, but also because motherhood is the theme of the community service endeavor she created three years ago. Denise and her husband Tony Ricke relocated their family from Wisconsin to Boulder County in 2013. Their son has Type 1 diabetes and is on the autism spectrum. As the stay-at-home parent, the responsibilities of having a child with multiple disabilities fell mainly on D...
The historic preservation of old buildings is one way to remember the people who’ve helped shape the character of a community. Factor in the agricultural and economic forces of the past, and a historic building serves as a cultural reminder of a bygone way of life. Guests of the lecture on historic preservation at the Left Hand Grange Hall on May 17 learned how the county has invested in our shared cultural heritage—through five historic properties in particular, a painstaking process des... Full story
Last month, Boy Scout Troop 161 held a Court of Honor, a regular event to recognize scouts for their achievements. This one marked something special - Niwot High School senior Isaac Robare officially earned the rank of Eagle Scout. What makes this special, former scout leader Johnny Barrett said, is that Robare joins four of his peers as Eagle Scouts who all started together in Cub Scouts as first graders. “Only about five percent of scouts make the rank of Eagle,” Barrett said. “So to have... Full story
Yvonne and Tegan Hammell share much in addition to being mother and daughter. They share custody of their elderly dog Evie, activities such as bowling league, and a commitment to volunteer work in their community. Yvonne started as a donor to Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP) having been connected to the agency through friends and because there have been so many people throughout her life affected by HIV/ AIDS. At the urging of her daughter, she began to spend time volunteering, and now has a...
McBride steps down as head coach Before the 2017 season began, Niwot head baseball coach Craig McBride had a roster full of nine potential pitchers and a heart full of hope. Facing a schedule full of dangerous conference foes including Mountain View and Silver Creek, the longtime coach was nonetheless cautiously optimistic about his senior-heavy team’s chances to sneak into the postseason “if our pitching goes well.” Of course, the Cougars and their fans now know how this story ends. Niwot... Full story
As part of the 2016-2017 “Niwot, Now & Then” Niwot Historical Society lecture series, a vintage fashion show organized by Susie Reisser was presented Thursday evening, April 27, at the Left Hand Grange Hall in Niwot. The event was well attended and the crowd was treated to a skillfully narrated fashion show and exquisite examples of men’s and ladies’ fashion from several periods of the 20th century. Dance troupe Watch Your Step!, under the direction of Dorothy Vernon, gave a fashion show wi...
It was déjà vu all over again last Saturday against Thompson Valley, as the Niwot baseball team took another hard-earned lead into the seventh inning only to see it slip away, bit by agonizing bit. Not even heroics from standout shortstop Skye Messinger could save the day, as Niwot pitchers allowed five hits and a walk in the bottom of the seventh to hand league foe Thompson Valley an 8-7 walk-off victory. For head coach Craig McBride, the Eagles’ late game comeback was just one more ind...
When we first started the Courier I had the distinct impression that we were like one of those 1940s Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney movies, where the kids put on a show in a barn and then decide to take it to Broadway. We were seven people with diverse backgrounds – a lawyer, an architect, a paralegal, a photographer, a teacher, a banker and a FDA investigator. Not quite the butcher, baker and candlestick maker, but close. Our main goal was to highlight the academic and athletic accomplishments of area students that the two local dailies t... Full story
Having been approached by Bruce “Biff” Warren in 1996 to help publish a local newspaper, I thought, “How hard can this be? We write a few stories, sell a few ads, and deliver the product to the Niwot / Gunbarrel area.” Little did I know that we’d still be doing it 20 years later and all of us would still be great friends. While it hasn’t always been easy, it has been a lot of fun thanks to our friendship, respect for each other and, mostly, our sense of humor. We’ve thanked our advertisers a... Full story
Meg and Casey Grothus are no strangers to the Left Hand Valley Courier, nor the town of Niwot. The brother and sister team have come a long way since they were featured in an article almost a decade ago about their internship with Google involving their idea for SketchUp, a 3D modeling program. The program is geared towards helping those who suffer from autism get internships, and after some typical fast moves from the tech industry, SketchUp is now owned by a company named Trimble, which has... Full story
A cross-disciplinary research effort by a number of professors at the University of Colorado-Boulder and Colorado State University has uncovered a surprising mistake in the translation of the Arapaho language. The Arapaho word “niwot” or “nowoo3” in the Hinono’ei language, which has long been thought to mean “left-hand,” turns out to instead be correctly translated as “right-hand.” A similar (but never corrected) error occurred in the middle ages when priests were told to be “celibate” when l...
Long time Niwot resident Ann Hicks passed away in Longmont, CO on Tuesday, March 21. Ann was born to Herbert E. Warfel and Gladys Lucille (Talbot) Warfel on March 4, 1930, in Norman, Ok. Ann was raised in New England and graduated from high school at an American school in Manila, Philippines, in 1948. She then attended Western State College in Gunnison, CO earning her BS in Education with a minor in Art. Ann met the love of her life, Dick Hicks of Olathe, CO. They were married June 14, 1953....
When Voices for Children CASA moved its office from the Justice Center to Gunpark Drive last August, it was with little fanfare. Few neighbors in this business district of Gunbarrel know about this organization which keeps a low profile and yet does some of the most important work in the county. Poverty, substance abuse, mental illness, and other societal pressures cause disruption to families and it is children who are often the most traumatized victims. Voices for Children trains and places court appointed special advocates (CASAs) to...
Veterinarian Crystal Connor and Technician Ki Goodman of the Left Hand Animal Hospital have been reaching out to first responders of the Mountain View Fire Protection District. They’re conducting classes on how to deal with pets in various situations. “It’s kind of what I would term a triage CPR training for the Mountain View Fire District,” Dr. Connor said. “We’re hitting multiple fire houses, the whole purpose of this one was to get training for the Niwot fire department.” The course includ...
As the membership drive for the Niwot Community Association kicks into high gear, the town is sporting banners at some town entrances, posters and brochures in Niwot businesses, and Burma Shave-style signs along Niwot Road -- all urging Niwot area residents to join the NCA. The NCA membership committee also has sent out emails to current members reminding them to renew and soon will mail renewal brochures to current and potential new members. The committee also plans to post a membership reminder on NextDoor, an online social network for...
1/28/1932 - 3/2/2017 Kind and loving mother, grandmother, and wife Kay Stoddart - passed away early Thursday morning. She died in her home of 40 years, with her daughters and family. She was born in Queens, NY, and moved to Niwot, CO with her husband Robert, whom she now joins. She was wise, funny, courageous, generous, and beautiful. She was an expert seamstress, cook, hostess, camper adventurer, and compassionate animal lover. She will be missed by us all, but never forgotten. If you were touched by her, please feel free to join us for a...
When asked about his team’s prospect for the upcoming season, longtime Niwot head baseball coach Craig McBride answered the predictable question in an interesting way. “Well, of course I hope we’ve improved. We’re a senior-heavy team. We have a good chance to go deep into the playoffs if our pitching goes well,” he said. “Of course, that’s what every coach will tell you. But we definitely feel good about the potential that we have this year.” That potential includes several returning varsi... Full story
Chief Niwot claimed that people who saw the beauty of the Left Hand Valley would stay here. It’s known as his curse or prophecy, depending on how you look at it. Then true to his character as someone who could see both sides of an issue, “Their staying will be the undoing of the beauty,” he reportedly said. Changes in the landscape due to human encroachment factored into the talk, “The Eagle in Chief Niwot’s Time and Ours,” given by volunteer naturalist Sue Cass on Feb. 2 as part of the Niwot Hi...
“It’s always inspiring to meet people who feel that they can make a difference in the world. That’s their motive, that’s their passion... I think that’s what makes your life meaningful, that’s what fills your own heart and that’s what gives you purpose.” When Maria Shriver made this statement, she could easily have been referring to Niwot Rotarian Margaret Hix. Hix is passionate about gardening, her friends and family, and the work of the Rotary Club of Niwot and Rotary International. When descr...
Years ago the Niwot Cookie Moms developed a holiday tradition of using their baking skills to show appreciation for US troops serving overseas. This year those baked confections were joined by dozens of Valentine’s Day cards, all made by local youngsters to be shipped out in about 25 care packages. The boxes will go out to military personnel stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa and South Korea, as well as on ships in the near and far east. Area children participated, including preschoolers a...
Niwot junior Mary Gillett didn’t hesitate when asked what the key was to her team’s victory over the Longmont Trojans last Friday Night. “We focused on running the floor and getting back and guarding our players” she said. “We went back to our fundamental defense, and that’s what we thrive off of.” “Defense makes an easy offense,” added her junior teammate Sophie Grant. “If you work hard on defense, the offense just comes.” The offense has been coming pretty easily to the Cougars lately. In it... Full story
A “very lovely” park bench donated by the Niwot Community Association remains “rather homeless” in Niwot as NCA members work to find an agreed-upon location for the bench, NCA Board members were told at their Jan. 11 meeting. The metal park bench, which was donated by the NCA in 2016, is in storage until a permanent location can be found. Originally the NCA had discussed locating it near 1914 House restaurant on Second Avenue, but that location turned out not to be suitable. So now the NCA is working with the Cottonwood Park West Homeown...
On Dec. 5, 2016 the Boulder County Sheriff’s office filed a report of criminal mischief with respect to graffiti along the Cottontail Trail in Gunbarrel. On Jan. 1, 2017 Gunbarrel Estates neighbors started removing it. The incident was reported by Gunbarrel Estates resident John Fay and investigated by Sheriff’s Deputy Connor Pontiakos. The graffiti was found east of North 71st St. along the Cottontail Trail by the Boulder and Left Hand Ditch, in two separate locations. The first location is... Full story
The county’s road and bridge department has their official budget for 2017, a total of roughly $39 million. Of those monies, $13 million will be spent on flood recovery in the James Canyon area, the Wagon Wheel Gap, bridges along the South St. Vrain including the primary bridge and roads in the Four Mile Canyon area. “Those are the major projects that will get started,” Boulder County Director of Transportation George Gerstle said. “As we get the bids in and how much they’ll actually cost, we’ll go back to the commissioners for the funding. “B... Full story
Ok ladies, we’re back. I want to thank you for tuning into the first interactive radio broadcast for Super Uber/Competitive Parenting. Not that any of us have to worry, because in the world of parenting, my audience is always at the top of the parenting food chain. I have to say that I did find some inspiration in an article I found while perusing USA Today as I was also making some killer stock trades. According to an interview super uber/competitive parent and self described “Alpha Mom” Constance Van Flandern, “I’m at my Alpha-Mom... Full story
One highlight of the holiday season for many families is shopping for gifts. For seven-year-old Kaden Hoppes, these annual trips to the store take on a special purpose. Kaden accompanies his mom Sarah Hoppes, Bank of the West assistant vice president, to purchase toys for the Kindness for Kids program. “He never asks to get anything for himself,” Sarah said. “He is truly a kind soul.” Spreading tidings of joy is a year-round activity for this second-grader. Kaden often spends time at a senior...
A public meeting facilitated by officials of the Boulder County transportation department was held Dec. 7 in a packed room at Niwot Elementary School. The meeting aimed to gather community input about the county’s continuing Quiet Zones’ efforts, and to further explain the project costs and timelines. Based on the majority of the crowd’s reactions, the project couldn’t proceed fast enough. This was the first in what will be a series of similar Q&A opportunities. Communications special... Full story
When longtime Gunbarrel resident Lyn Mead closed her small business four years ago, she noticed her schedule became less rigid so she wasted no time filling her days. Now a mentor for Montessori teachers, Mead is also active in numerous organizations including EFAA food bank and Harvest of Hope Pantry, both in Boulder. November and December is a high need time for folks who frequent the food banks and Mead is astonished at the quantity of food that passes in and out the door this time of year....
Left Hand Animal Hospital’s Dr. Katie Thomas has been named a finalist for the Pet’s Best “My Vet’s the Best” contest. She was nominated by Diana Leiker, and now has a one in eight chance of winning $1,000 for the clinic. Thomas grew up on a small farm just outside of Erie, Pennsylvania, and always loved animals. “Some of my family had careers in human medicine,” Thomas said. “While I loved math and science growing up, I knew I didn’t want to enter human health care. “After high school, I went...
State Representative Jonathan Singer held on to his seat in District 11 by a margin of just under 8,000 votes in the election Nov. 8 election. Singer is now in his third elected term after finishing out that of current Boulder County Commissioner Deb Gardner. Following the results from both national and local races, Singer said that the state has “held up to its true form” by not being predominately red or blue. “I think Colorado has shown itself to be an independent-minded state,” Singer said. “What we are seeing now is a trend towards p... Full story
County staff presented plans for the repaving project to the public at the Left Hand Grange Nov. 9, including drawings and plans for upgrades. Neva Road will stay pretty much the same, and only minor changes will be made to 83rd Street according to Boulder County Transportation Department personnel. Original plans presented to local residents for comment included narrowing Neva Road, but the response from local residents who live along and drive on it convinced the staff to keep the road at its current width and to forego the thought of... Full story
Niwot Community Association (NCA) board members agreed at the Nov. 2 meeting on a 2017 budget that shows the group finishing the year in the red, but approved it with the understanding that membership revenues are being conservatively estimated for the budget. The group estimates that 2017 operating revenues could be about $14,475 while expenses could total $16,420, leaving the group about $1,945 short. However, stronger membership numbers could make up that shortfall, NCA President Dick Piland said. The NCA also has “healthy” financial res... Full story
A new stone with a permanent plaque was erected recently honoring Chief Left Hand, or Chief Niwot, by Ni-wot Prairie Productions. The plaque was placed near near the tree carvings on the south side of Niwot Road, across from the Second Avenue intersection and includes a memorial to Elizabeth Darling, who passed away last December. Mike Anfinson, president of the non-profit organization Ni-wot Prairie Productions, said Darling, who was his wife, was instrumental in working with Native American ar...
A new stone with a permanent plaque was erected recently honoring Chief Left Hand, or Chief Niwot, by Ni-wot Prairie Productions. The plaque was placed near near the tree carvings on the south side of Niwot Road, across from the Second Avenue intersection and includes a memorial to Elizabeth Darling, who passed away last December. Mike Anfinson, president of the non-profit organization Ni-wot Prairie Productions, said Darling, who was his wife, was instrumental in working with Native American ar...
Niwot’s 16th annual Enchanted Evening event on Friday, Nov. 25 will kick off this year’s season of light with plenty of fan favorites and a few added enticements. Promising a night of nostalgia, the event gathers together the old and the young for the singing of traditional yuletide songs, a tree lighting ceremony, a visit with a certain red-suited northerner, and a chance to check off some of the “naughty or nice” people on this year’s holiday shopping list. While hammers are busy pounding... Full story
