All Local, All The Time
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...
We are sad to share that Dallas Plese passed away at home on May 14, 2024. A rare Colorado native, Dallas was born July 17, 1941, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Theodore and Christine Plese. Christine died shortly after childbirth and Theodore died two years later during training for WWII. Dallas was then adopted by an aunt and uncle in Pueblo where he grew up with two sisters, numerous cousins, and lifelong friends. Dallas attended Pueblo Catholic High School (PCH) where he was the definitive Big Man...
James A. Cooke November 17, 1951 – June 7, 2024 James A. ("Jim") Cooke died at his home in Niwot, Colorado, on June 7, 2024 as the result of complications of Type 1 diabetes. It is impossible to fully capture a life in a few paragraphs but certain things were essentially and authentically Jim and will be mourned and missed by all. Jim lived life exuberantly, always willing to open his heart, home and office to friends and those in need. Whether tending his garden, cooking for friends and family,...
Barbara Comstock Died June 29, 2024 A former resident of Boulder and later a resident of Niwot, Barbara Comstock, age 72, died on June 29 after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma. Barbara retired in April 2019 after a 36-year career as a Physicians Assistant in the OB/GYN department at Kaiser Permanente. She was a trusted and revered PA by her colleagues, patients and work family. Her smile and laughter will long be remembered by all, especially her many close and dedicated friends in the...
Strong headwinds are blowing against the success of small businesses in unincorporated Boulder County, including Niwot. In the last year, small businesses have incurred losses due to a power shutdown and significant increases in sanitation fees, property taxes, food costs, and insurance. Small businesses now face the impact of the recent Boulder County minimum wage increase, with Niwot, Hygiene, and other businesses in unincorporated Boulder County required to pay a minimum wage of $15.69 per ho...
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...
Rock & Rails summer concerts continue on Thursday, July 25, with the opening act starting at 5 p.m. and the headliner lighting up the stage at 6:30 p.m. The Wendy Woo Band returns to Rock & Rails to start the night off with an energetic and enjoyable performance. The Wendy Woo Band is a self-described "poly-ethnic, power pop, song-rock, 6-piece band with sweet vocal harmonies and shuddering grooves." Wendy Woo is an inductee into the Westword Hall of Fame as a result of being named...
Long-time Niwot resident, Phyllis Marie Terrones, age 88, died at her home on July 12, 2024 from complications of interstitial lung disease. A Celebration of Life will be held August 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the New Creation Church, 737 Bross St., Longmont. Memorial contributions can be made to charities that provide for those in need....
Summer is in full swing at the Grange and August offers opportunities for the community to relish art, education, and social gatherings. Bondi Art Show Friday, August 2, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Saturday, August 3, 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Michael Bondi's annual art show returns to the Grange. Bondi's original watercolors and prints need to be seen in person to fully appreciate the essence of each setting. His technique and choice of colors elicit a warm sense of fully being in these lovely European...
Nick Bierbrodt's journey through professional baseball is nothing short of extraordinary. As the first-ever draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1996, he quickly established himself as a promising young talent. Yet his story is not just about his accomplishments on the mound, but also about his resilience, adaptability, and eventual transition to a life as a firefighter and a mentor to young athletes. Bierbrodt, now a Niwot resident, recalled being drafted right out of high school fondly....
There are so many familiar faces around Niwot, especially for weekly regulars who attend Rock & Rails. Some faces are most familiar when they belong to those who have spent a majority of their life in Niwot and are continuously involved in the community. Colleen Beebe is one such familiar face. Beebe moved to Colorado in 1975 after her father, who annually visited this beautiful state to ski, fulfilled a dream of living here. Unfortunately, he passed away only 16 months after the family moved...
Rising senior Gabe Bandera has dedicated his final high school summer to improving all aspects of his tennis game, both mental and physical. During his first varsity season last year, the Niwot standout reached the state tournament at No. 4 doubles but was admittedly overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed. Instead of shying away, he turned that experience into motivation and has been impressing head coach Aimee Hites throughout summer workouts. "I've been getting better," Bandera said. "I've...
Last week, the Courier reported that the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) underpass along the Diagonal Highway at Four-mile Creek Trail represents a significant improvement for bikers and pedestrians using the trail between Niwot and Boulder. According to the Boulder County press release, the "Four-mile Creek Bikeway Project will create a continuous, safe bikeway along SH119 between Boulder, Gunbarrel, Niwot and Longmont." However, despite their excitement for this development, local area...
On July 18, Rock & Rails continued its summer concert series with performances that showcased seasoned talent. The evening kicked off with Mark Oblinger, a five-time Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated composer/producer. Oblinger, accompanied by Linda Lawson, invited e-Town's Christian Teele, Eric Moon, and the night's headliner, Chris Daniels on stage with him. They treated the crowd to a unique blend of original music as concertgoers walked in, set down their fold-up chairs, and grabbed food and...
On Friday, July 19 dancers of all skill levels gathered at Dancing Under the Stars to learn how to Lindy Hop under the tutelage of Lorne Fultonberg from Boulder Swing Dance. Fultonberg focused on Lindy Hop, a swing-style dance that originated in Harlem, New York, in the 1920s and '30s. It developed in response to the Black jazz music of the Swing Era. Around 150 people squeezed onto the makeshift dance floor in Cottonwood Square and were introduced to the art form. Toward the end of the dance le...
Through the years, the Courier has documented a range of unexpected animal encounters in our area. Roaming wild turkeys, pet goats being walked, and the ongoing presence of lynx, coyotes, snakes, prairie dogs and foxes have intrigued and delighted residents. In recent weeks, however, bears appear to be getting more habituated to our community. Visits (and suspected visits) by bears is a popular topic of conversation in the area. Front door cameras record bear activity regularly in the Niwot area...
Joie Kennedy, a sophomore at Niwot High School, has made a name for herself in the world of pageantry. Recently, she was a semi-finalist in the 2024 Miss Colorado Teen USA competition and was named Most Photogenic. Kennedy's journey in pageantry began relatively recently. "I've only done two pageants so far," she shared. Her inspiration came from watching Madison Marsh win Miss Colorado. "It was really fun to see her win and then go on to win Miss America," she said. Competing in Miss Colorado...
Niwot High School graduate and traditional salutatorian Violet Oliver made NHS history in her four years as a Niwot student. Not only did she earn her high school diploma with flying colors, she also received an Associate's Degree in Engineering at the same time. During her senior year, Oliver took all of her classes at Front Range Community College, which will result in a reduction of over a year of school towards getting her bachelor's degree. Apart from Oliver's impressive achievement of...
National Night Out is a nationwide community-building event held on the first Tuesday of August in communities across the country to promote awareness and cooperation between police and first responders, on one hand, with local residents. “[The event] enhances the relationship between (the community) and law enforcement…,” according to their website. The social setting of National Night Out is meant to create camaraderie in an informal setting to make communities safer. This year the event will be held on Aug. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Murra...
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...
James A. Cooke November 17, 1951 – June 7, 2024 James A. ("Jim") Cooke died at his home in Niwot, Colorado, on June 7, 2024 as the result of complications of Type 1 diabetes. It is impossible to fully capture a life in a few paragraphs but certain things were essentially and authentically Jim and will be mourned and missed by all. Jim lived life exuberantly, always willing to open his heart, home and office to friends and those in need. Whether tending his garden, cooking for friends and family,...
Discussions have been underway since March between Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting and the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) regarding the location and alignment of the proposed underpass linking the planned bikeway in the median of the Diagonal and the RTD park-n-ride parking lot with downtown Niwot. The original plans for the bikeway did not include an underpass on the northbound lanes of the Diagonal Highway, but the LID and the Niwot Business...
Rock & Rails summer concerts continue on Thursday, July 18, with the opening act starting at 5 p.m. and the headliner lighting up the stage at 6:30 p.m. This week's opener, Mark Oblinger, a five-time Emmy winning and Grammy nominated composer/producer, will be treating the crowd to his unique blend of original music with tones of folk and pop. His vocal-forward arrangements are an inspiring and interesting way to start the night. Oblinger is joined on tour by Linda Lawson, Christian Teele,...
The Old Oak Coffeehouse is hosting another House Blend Band concert on Saturday, July 20, organized by Micheal Tomich and Patty Machen, Old Oak owners and band members. Tomich promises the band will perform at least four songs by the band Chicago, three songs by Elton John, four or five Motown songs, and a few other selections from the 1970s. This month's concert will feature Tomich's granddaughter Evelyn singing with the band. At 10 years old, Evelyn has been singing with the House Blend Band...
Barbara Comstock Died June 29, 2024 A former resident of Boulder and later a resident of Niwot, Barbara Comstock, age 72, died on June 29 after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma. Barbara retired in April 2019 after a 36-year career as a Physicians Assistant in the OB/GYN department at Kaiser Permanente. She was a trusted and revered PA by her colleagues, patients and work family. Her smile and laughter will long be remembered by all, especially her many close and dedicated friends in the...
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...
With one of Niwot's favorite summer concert series, Rock & Rails, in full swing, regular concert goers are beginning to recognize some regular volunteers behind the bar at the alcohol building known as The Depot. Many of these volunteers have been returning over the years and have become Familiar Faces to the Niwot community. Lori Shrader has been volunteering at Rock & Rails for the past nine years. Always serving beverages with a smile and having fun with her fellow volunteers behind the bar,...
The third week of Niwot's Dancing Under the Stars brought a touch of elegance to Cottonwood Square on Friday, July 12. The waltz and folk dance evening featured live music by the talented duo of Terri Rasmussen and Julia Haze, setting the tone for a magical night. The evening began again with a dance lesson led by Tom Masterson, one of the event organizers, from 7 to 7:45 p.m. After slowly teaching the basic steps, Masterson lined attendees up for a circle waltz before handing off the mic to...
For nearly a year, Niwot residents and regular visitors have been watching the progress of the restoration of the Frank Bader Home at 210 Franklin Street. The property is currently in the process of being redeveloped by Nassar Development, a company known for other historically focused restorations. The latest update from the company's founder, Larry Nassar, confirms what many can see with their eyes-that progress on the exterior is nearly complete. "Once the exteriors are completely finished, w...
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...
Evan Pan never considered himself an 'artsy person,' but his experience in Niwot High School's fine arts program has given him an opportunity to express himself in new ways. "It was actually the first art class I took at Niwot, and I fell in love with the process of making art," Pan said. "And I still have my first assignments from freshman year. It was a self-portrait, and it is probably one of the most atrocious things you've ever seen." Growing up, Pan spent much of his time swimming and in...
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...
A request for $997,785 in funding for the Boulder County Public Works Four-Mile BNSF Underpass Construction Project was approved at the Boulder County Commissioners meeting last week. The underpass is part of the Four-Mile Creek Bikeway Project and will connect the Cottonwood Trail to the Four-Mile Creek Trail. With this approval, the project has been assigned to Coal Creek Excavation which is slated to break ground in late August to early September. Construction is estimated to be on-going...
The Niwot High School track and field teams have once again proven their dominance, with the girls team winning the state title for the fifth consecutive year and the boys team finishing as state runner-up. Their outstanding performance through the season has been recognized with numerous awards, showcasing the incredible talent of both teams under Coach Maurice Henriques, who was named CHSAA's 4A Girls Track Coach of the Year. Leading the girls team, sophomore Addison Ritzenhein had a stellar...
Mathematics is the foundation of many subjects and is crucial to understand. Math teachers help students gain critical thinking skills and help them understand and engage with the world. Erin Smith is a dedicated math teacher at Niwot High School, entering her third year at NHS and her fifth year of teaching overall. Smith began her teaching career in a middle school in eastern Longmont, but after two years, she felt the call to high school education. Smith speaks highly of Niwot High School's m...
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...
Dear Courier and Niwotians: What a great 4th of July holiday our little town just put on! Like all the volunteer-run events that happen here, the pancake breakfast (Bert Steele's) and the parade with so many enthusiastic participants was a sight to behold! An estimated 1,000 plus people were served, and I'd guess double that amount were watching and marching in the parade. I heard several people comment on how special this event was, and how nice of the town to arrange such fun. Strangers that...
Niwot's annual Fourth of July celebration was packed with fun activities from start to finish, thanks to the continued efforts of the Niwot Community Association (NCA) which sponsors the event, with financial support from the Niwot Local Improvement District. Starting the morning off at 7:30 a.m. was the "Bert Steele Pancake Breakfast" served in front of the Niwot Market. Net proceeds from this year's ticket sales went towards purchasing another grill for the breakfast to help cover the increasi...
A crowd of 30 gathered July 5 during Niwot's First Friday Art Walk to celebrate and dedicate two donations by Jim and Anne Postle. The sculptures, "Of One Heart" and "Courtship Flight" by world-renowned artist George Carlson, were added to the permanent collection of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) on the corner of Niwot Road and 79th Street after the death of Jim Postle in 2021. Anne Postle, wife of the late Jim Postle, spoke on behalf of the Postle family, including daughter-in-law...
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....
Ok. You know how they say color influences your mood? Stores are decorated in colors that apparently make you want to buy. Casinos are decorated to make you gamble. School walls are a color that is supposed to help concentration. You catch my drift. So, when it comes to decorating your house, you have to think about your goals. Serenity? Cozy? Creative? A friend of mine who recently moved to Niwot told me she is struggling to decorate her home. No kidding! It's difficult and fraught with...
Gargoyles are hard-working students, incredible team players, great friends, and an integral piece of the Niwot community over the summer at Lobsterfest and Rock & Rails. They assist in keeping events at Whistle Stop Park zero-waste. The Courier is spotlighting some of these friendly, essential volunteers. Francesca Fowler has been volunteering as a Gargoyle for three years. She is an active member of the Niwot community. Through volunteering around town to being a part of the Scout Troop 161, Fowler has been a constant figure in the Niwot...
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...
Amy Scanes-Wolfe, Niwot resident and the founder and director of High Plains Permaculture, is passionate about connecting people to their food systems. Even as a child, Scanes-Wolfe was set on becoming a farmer and has opened her community-based farm, the Niwot Homestead, which aims to feed people a local and well-rounded diet, ultimately connecting them back to the source of their food. Born in South Africa, Scanes-Wolfe moved to Longmont when she was four and later graduated from Niwot High...
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...
Mohi Bauer accomplished quite a bit during his junior year at Niwot High School, both in the classroom and on the pitch. Along with taking college-level math classes through Front Range Community College, he received a mid-season promotion to the varsity boys soccer team and ultimately played big minutes for the Cougars. His contributions as an offensive facilitator helped Niwot win seven of its final eight games, including two in the Class 4A state tournament. "That was a cool experience, joini...
