All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Like a lot of other well-loved community activities, last year Rock & Rails faced cancellation in the wake of pandemic health concerns. But 2021 is a new year, and things are beginning to reopen. That includes the beloved concert series. The series began on time on June 3, but organizers were concerned about what to expect. Would there need to be protocols put in place? Would audience members return? Would the concert feel the same way it always had? As of the July 8 reggae concert by Selasse an...
To paraphrase an old adage, "Man plans, the universe laughs." In Jim Eastman's life, at least two major events sent him off the expected path. Thankfully, the world is a better place, and Eastman would likely concur, that he's better as a result. A rollover car accident in 1990 caused Eastman to sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) which led to profound changes cognitively and, over time, physically as a result of stress. A decade later, he experienced another turning point - the discovery tha...
People strolling along Niwot's Second Avenue looking for a peaceful place to sit in the shade can thank their lucky stars that Chuck Klueber gives his time to Niwot. Klueber, who has been named the 2021 Grand Marshal of Niwot's 4th of July patriotic motorcade parade, is the quiet force in the background making sure that "streetscape" projects are completed in the town. The "bump out" patio in front of Old Oak Coffeehouse, allowing for inviting umbrella tables, chairs and trees, was one of the...
After being delayed during much of March, April, and May due to permitting issues at Boulder County, construction of a public parking lot west of downtown Niwot is moving forward, and could be completed by the end of June, according to representatives from the Niwot Business Association. "By the end of the month, it all should be pretty well wrapped up," Chuck Klueber, head of NBA's streetscapes committee said. "We just have a few more things to get done, and it shouldn't take very long."...
While touring Blessings Day Spa (7960 Niwot Road, B9) during its grand opening celebration on June 19, more than once I found myself fantasizing about undergoing a treatment in one of its sumptuous rooms, my anxieties abandoned for a few hours at least. That's how welcoming the surroundings are at Niwot's newest oasis of relaxation, tucked into a cozy corner of Cottonwood Square. A big part of that is owner Julie Stenz, a 14-year Niwot resident and registered aesthetician, who played a very...
Looking for a fun way to celebrate Independence Day this year? Now you can kick off the 4th with a celebratory run down Niwot Road. Brand new for 2021, the Niwot Downhill Mile will feature a mostly downhill course starting at Niwot High School at 8 a.m. and finishing at Niwot Market. After the race, participants can enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Market until 10:30 a.m., along with local vendors before the motorcade kicks off at 11 a.m. Registration starts on the day of the race at Niwot...
India has been reeling from the effects of COVID-19, with more than 338,000 deaths and nearly 28.5 million cases as of June 1. Although the country is on the other side of the world, some people in the community refuse to accept that living so far away means they're powerless to help. Some Niwot community members have organized a trivia and curry night fundraiser for India at Niwot Wheel Works, 101 2nd Avenue in Niwot, on Monday, June 14. Proceeds from the dinner will be donated to support...
The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee held its latest monthly meeting virtually on June 1. The meeting was chaired by newly elected vice-chair Eric Bergeson in the absence of new chair Scott Firle. Treasurer's Report LID treasurer Bruce Rabeler was also not present, but submitted a written report of the district's current finances to board members in advance. In March, the Niwot LID earned $19,348, down from February ($20,935), but up 22% from March 2020 (12,639), and 18% from...
Starved concertgoers were refreshed and refilled by the return of Niwot's famed Rock & Rails concert series on Thursday, June 3. Attendees not only were entertained by opening band Pacheco & Bower and headliners Mojomama, whose self-described "funky blues rock" had the crowd up and dancing, but also by the fact the day marked the premier of the new Depot building at Whistle Stop Park, which replaces the old beer tent. Niwot resident Joe Pacheco, who teamed up with Loveland resident Billy Bower...
The year 2019 saw the end of Boulder's iconic Dancing Under the Stars after 35 years of offering free summer dancing nights in the middle of town. That same year Catherine McHale, a member of the local dancing community herself, decided that it shouldn't completely disappear, it should just move to Niwot. "I saw a Facebook post of the original organizers who said they had to cancel it... They hadn't managed to get an agreement with the city," she explained. "So I approached Cottonwood Square...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) began as a reaction to a regional shopping center proposed by an out-of-town developer in the early 1980s. The concept put forth was that the property kitty-corner from the IBM site on the Diagonal Highway would be developed into a regional shopping center as part of a plan to incorporate the town of Niwot, with a sales tax providing all the revenue the newly incorporated town would ever need. At the time the City of Boulder had not yet annexed the IBM site or the would-be shopping center property and Twin...
Cottonwood Square in Niwot is about to have one less cottonwood tree. Boulder County Public Works is planning to cut down a tree on the south side of Niwot Road, just east of 79th Street. It's estimated to be 50 to 100 years old. The tree is decaying and risks falling over, according to Boulder County arborist Cathy Thiltgen. "It was a tough decision, but ultimately we had to make it safe for the community. We just don't want anything terrible to happen," Thiltgen said. She and arborist Mary...
"I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy.....Born on the 4th of July" The line from "Yankee Doodle Dandy" fits the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band, which first performed on July 4, 2005, as part of the bandstand dedication ceremony in Whistle Stop Park. "The Niwot Business Association built a bandstand in the park reminiscent of the bandstand that stood for many years on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Murray Street," Biff Warren, one of the founding band members said. "We had everything ready...
The Jon Hill era is set to begin for the Niwot girls basketball team with the program finding its new head coach. Niwot Athletic Director Joe Brown announced the move on May 5 following the retirement of longtime head coach and Colorado High School Athletics Association Hall of Famer, Terri Ward. Although Ward has stepped away from coaching, she will remain around the program in a mentorship role. Hill said he looks forward to bringing a fresh energy to the program while having Ward's wisdom...
Niwot's summer calendar will look more like its pre-pandemic norm, after the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee voted to provide funding for three familiar events at its monthly meeting on May 4. The board also elected new officers, and discussed its financial priorities for the rest of 2021. Officer Elections In the first order of business, the NLIDAC unanimously elected member Scott Firle as chair, replacing Laura Skaggs, who is leaving her seat on the committee in January...
The past year has been challenging for prospective college athletes, particularly those who missed their junior seasons of competition in the spring of 2020. But for 15 Niwot High athletes, the arduous journey through the virtual recruiting process came to a satisfying end at the school's Letter of Intent signing ceremony on May 3. "This is probably the hardest year in the history of college athletics to have an opportunity to play at the collegiate level," Niwot High athletics and activities...
For months, Niwot has been the site of a string of events to give residents a reason to safely gather during the pandemic and keep them in front of local businesses. These events have offered something to appeal to a wide range of interests. There have been fun runs, events for every holiday including St. Patrick's Day, scavenger hunts, window decorating contests, a whole-lifestyle approach to fitness in January, concerts, and sidewalk sales. But an event coming up May 15 might be the most...
The Niwot Business Association, known informally as the NBA, is the organization that gets most things done in Niwot's business district. While the Niwot Community Association (NCA) addresses matters of community-wide interest, the NBA has taken the lead on business-related matters. The two organizations often work together on projects of mutual interest, such as the Veteran's Banner Project last fall. But the NBA, whose 150-plus dues-paying members often live in NIwot as well as work there, is...
April is National Volunteer month, a moment when the US acknowledges and honors the impressive impact volunteers make by giving their time and energy. We can all make the world a better place by volunteering in big and small ways, and while pitching in, you're also bringing health and happiness to yourself. Here's a list of nearby organizations where volunteers make a huge difference. Note: For the past year, we've been told to stay socially distant during the pandemic, but many organizations...
A brand new event is coming to town this summer, and organizers from the Niwot Business Association are as busy as its namesake putting it all together. On April 6, they crossed off an important item on their to-do list after the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee voted to approve funding for the Honey Bee Harvest Festival, a full-day celebration of pollinators and their important role in our community. "There's really lots of elements to it," NBA Vice President Deborah Read...
Paperwork delays at the Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting Department are holding up construction of a small parking facility west of downtown Niwot, but Chuck Klueber of the Niwot Business Association is hopeful that work will resume soon. "The county is asking for additional information with regard to the grading permit, electrical permit, and they want to see details of the lighting plan," Klueber, head of the NBA's streetscapes committee, said. "So that has been a hang-up. We...
The Niwot Cultural Arts Association, often referred to as the NCAA, has nothing to do with March Madness, or intercollegiate sports. In Niwot, the NCAA has everything to do with charitable activities involving arts and culture. The NCAA was formed in January 2009 by Tim Wise, Mike Anfinson and Biff Warren at the urging of the Niwot Business Association. The NBA, through Wise's efforts as head of the Historic Projects Committee, had worked with Bank of the West to establish Whistle Stop Park on...
Mild spring weather, friendly faces, and Irish themed-fun made for a perfectly charming afternoon at Lucky Niwot Day on Saturday, March 20. "I was so glad we changed the day," organizer Deborah Read Fowler said of the first-time celebration, which was postponed from March 13 due to the snow storm. "The weather was perfect and it was wonderful to see so many people having socially distanced fun." The town's salute to St. Patrick's day featured festivities for the whole family, and then some....
The Niwot Future League, or NFL as it is commonly referred to, is another one of Niwot’s accidentally sports-themed acronym groups. With the Niwot Business Association (NBA) and the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) widely known in Niwot, the NFL is probably the least-known group in Niwot. That’s because it is actually just a committee of the NBA, formed at the request of the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) several years ago when the LID agreed to fund the NBA’s request for a part-time contractor to serve as Niwot’s Economi...
5 is getting off to a good start for one Niwot business. DRF Real Estate, LLC, has been certified as a B Corporation, an ambitious designation that recognizes a business's commitment to the planet and to the community. Similar to a "fair trade coffee" designation, the recognition doesn't bring direct benefits to a business, but it allows customers to know more about a company's values and approach to its operations. It also makes the business part of a regional and global community of other...
What a relief...Left Hand Valley Grange Park will soon have a proper replacement for the portable toilet that has been on sentry duty for a very long time. The new restrooms will be open to the public including park visitors and any passersby, such as those traveling the Longmont to Boulder (LoBo) trail. The original plans were for the installation of a prefabricated building equipped with plumbing and electricity but, what's presently in the works is a standard two-stall restroom.The toilets...
Members of the Niwot Community Association Board are cautiously exploring whether the group will be able to host some of its signature activities in 2021. "Will we see the same Covid-19 restrictions this summer after vaccines are more widely distributed? It's too early to know," said NCA Vice-President Tom Sesnic. He and area 5 representative John Barto co-chair the Niwot annual cleanup day usually held in May. That event was cancelled last spring due to Covid-19 restrictions set by Boulder Coun...
With its large front windows, bright red sign, and prominent patio area, it's hard to miss Pinocchios Restaurant as you drive down 2nd Avenue. But behind the exterior there has been a great deal of change. As of Jan. 18, the restaurant has new owners, Kelsey and Joe Deboard. Kelsey Deboard isn't new to Pinocchios, in fact, she's been part of it for a while. "I started as a server looking for extra income, but when I came on board I enjoyed everything I did. From the social aspect of it to...
As we eagerly await the official start of spring, there's plenty to look forward to in Niwot during March. Starting March 1, and continuing all month, visitors to Niwot can participate in a St. Patrick's Day-inspired virtual scavenger hunt. This festive activity, sponsored by the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) and the Niwot Business Association (NBA), will send players on a quest to find the lucky leprechauns hidden around town. Owner of Deborah Read Fowler Real Estate (DRF) and recent L...
Boulder County's newest commissioners Claire Levy and Marta Loachamin got a crash course in the history of the Niwot Local Improvement District when the BOCC met with members of the LID advisory committee on Feb. 25. They also got an earful about some missteps by their predecessors, as well as some still-lingering conflicts that arose from the NRCD building moratorium from two years ago. But the meeting ended with an optimistic tone, and an agreement from both boards to work more cooperatively...
Thirty years ago Niwot's 2nd Avenue was a mess whenever it rained or snowed. No curb and gutter, no streetlights, and nowhere for moisture to drain. As an unincorporated community, the downtown business district had no tax revenue or funding mechanism for basic infrastructure projects. In the early 1990s a small group of local commercial property owners approached Boulder County officials seeking a solution. Anne Dyni, who with her husband Jack owned the former blacksmith building (now occupied...
The sport of lacrosse has exploded across Colorado schools and recreation leagues in recent years, and now it's coming to Boulder County. Starting Sunday, April 11, Niwot resident and former collegiate lacrosse player Neema Kassaii will be conducting a weekly youth lacrosse clinic at East Boulder Community Park (5660 Sioux Drive). "The clinic is geared towards beginners and intermediate level players, especially at the younger age groups, as we will be teaching/reinforcing the basics," he wrote...
The adage, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going," typifies Niwot's Deborah Read Fowler. Read Fowler, owner of Deborah Read Fowler Real Estate (DRF), was already resolutely involved with the community when along came COVID-19, shifting her dynamism into overdrive. With her can-do attitude, optimistic outlook, and a keen sense of humor, Read Fowler simply gives her all to Niwot, which is why she is the recipient of this month's Left Hand Laurel. "What is new is my concern, and I'd say...
Most Niwot residents know that the Niwot Business Association (NBA) offers business support and networking, and also hosts Rock & Rails with the Niwot Cultural Arts Association on summer Thursday nights, as well as sponsoring other community events such as the Great Pumpkin Party, Enchanted Evening and the Holiday Parade. Fewer residents know the NBA is responsible for things that are easy to take for granted. Tasks such as changing street light bulbs, paying the electric bill for the lights,...
The Niwot Business Association unveiled its 2021 budget at February’s monthly meeting of the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Board, prompting a discussion of the district’s 2021 finances. The board also approved a handful of funding requests, discussed topics for its upcoming meeting with the Board of County Commissioners, and got an update on recruitment for upcoming vacancies from county liaison Mark Ruzzin. Treasurer’s Report Up first was the February treasurer’s report from Bruce R...
It has been six months since the death of Arapaho artist Eddie Running Wolf due to the coronavirus, but his memory and his art live on in Niwot. A Saturday gathering, masked and socially distant, paid tribute to the work of Wolf and continuing efforts to preserve his iconic tree sculptures on Niwot Road with a blessing ceremony led by Thornton resident Walt Pourier of the Oglala Lakota Nation, and attended by the artist's wife Melissa, his sons Calvin and Dustin and his mother. "So I called...
Although the weather wasn't very snow-friendly, the Après Ski winter pop-up event, organized by the Niwot Business Association, drew a crowd to downtown Niwot on Jan. 30. Revelers were treated to musicians, ice sculptures, special winter delectables, as well as special deals from local merchants....
On Saturday Jan. 30, Niwot's downtown will be transformed into a festival worthy of any Colorado ski town. A subcommittee of Niwot Business Association members has created a celebration of cold-weather fun they've named an Après Ski Event, in honor of one of Colorado's best-known winter activities. Festivities will take place from noon to 4 p.m. with plenty of activities. Organizers have scheduled free horse-drawn carriage rides, a 3:30 p.m. children's storytime at Inkberry Books, a...
As part of Jump Start January, everyone is invited to join in a community fun run. Runners should meet in front of Niwot Market on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 9:15 a.m., with the starting gun set to go off at 9:30 a.m. At the end of the four miles, participants are invited to join in for free coffee, hot cocoa and a prize drawing. Prizes are yet to be determined. The untimed race will be relaxed and fun, not competitive. It will be held in any weather, including rain, shine, or snow. All participants...
At its first monthly meeting of the new year, the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Board approved funding for a slew of routine maintenance expenses, as well as new events devised by the Niwot Business Association to help keep traffic circulating through local businesses. The members also discussed their upcoming annual meeting with the Board of County Commissioners, scheduled for Feb. 4. Treasurer's Report LID Vice Chair Jim Eastman delivered the January Treasurer's report in lieu of t...
The COVID-19 pandemic turned life upside down for most of us over the past 12 months, but it was especially hard on the local non-profit community, which saw its donations dry up as traditional fundraising events and activities were postponed or canceled. Fortunately, there's still time to help balance the scales as we count down the final hours of 2020. Among the many provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) passed back in March, was a change to an IRS rule...
On Dec. 7, the Colorado High School Athletics Association announced that Season B, originally slated to begin in early January, will now be pushed to at least February. At Niwot High School, boys and girls basketball, girls swim and dive and wrestling are the sports impacted. CHSAA's verdict came after the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment expressed concern with statewide COVID-19 cases on the rise. CDPHE Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Rye prioritized getting students back...
At the final monthly meeting of 2020, the Niwot Local Improvement District's Advisory Committee met virtually to consider two funding requests related to marketing and economic development in 2021. Treasurer's Report But before the fun could get underway, the board heard from LID Treasurer Bruce Rabeler with an update on the district's finances through the end of November. To date, the board has approved $254,303.08 in funding requests in 2020, including $101,512 for the public parking lot....
Boulder County is seeking applications for three openings on the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee, a nine-member independent board that "prioritizes expenditures of the LID sales tax revenue," and makes recommendations to the county commissioners, who serve as the board of directors for the district. The Niwot LID was formed in 1992 and was authorized to collect a half-percent sales tax to pay for street, drainage and other improvements in Old Town, beginning in 1993. In...
Each Wednesday morning, small business owners gather in a side dining room at the Niwot Tavern to strategize about keeping their businesses healthy in the wake of the pandemic. Before mid-March, their meeting space was used for seating the Tavern's customers. By mid-November, as the restaurant has shifted to a take-out focused business model, it has become a storage space for restaurant supplies, baskets and holiday donations. During their meeting, participants sit six feet apart with their chai...
In 1975, the Lutheran Medical Center Foundation was created as a way to support a nonprofit hospital in West Denver. Since then, it has been renamed the "Community First Foundation" (CFF) and has sought to create change beyond just the Denver Metro. Then, CFF became involved with ColoradoGives.org, an online tool that is a way to connect with and support nearly 3,000 nonprofits around the state. In 2010, CFF and ColoradoGives.org kicked off Colorado Gives Day, which has garnered $355 million in...
On Friday, Nov. 6, Boulder County was moved to Level Orange, High Risk category. Barely two weeks later, Governor Jared Polis added a new color to the COVID dial and Boulder County was bumped up to Level Red, Severe Risk, which was redefined as somewhere between Level Orange and the new Extreme Risk-Stay at Home shut-down, known as Level Purple. "The numbers have been going up, so I can't say that I was super surprised," said Pastor Emily Kintzel of Niwot United Methodist Church. Perhaps the...
Niwot has long been a destination for old fashioned Christmas charm, with traditional events such as Enchanted Evening, the Holiday Parade, and WINC Holiday Fayre, which provide a festive ambience and attract families from both close to home and towns all around. What's more magical than seeing children's faces light up at the iconic Santa on the fire truck, or people marveling at the ice sculptures, or the comfort and joy of hearing carols sung beautifully, or sipping a fabulous holiday...
Like it or not, the 2020 holiday shopping season is upon us, and like everything else during the past eight months, it promises to be fraught with uncertainty. But one thing that is certain is that supporting Niwot's shops and restaurants-whether online or safely in-person-is especially important this year, according to economic development director Catherine McHale. "I am happy that most of our businesses are surviving for now, and we've had very few casualties or actual closures, but obviously...
The retail incubator launched by the Niwot Business Association last month got a boost from the Niwot Local Improvement District's Advisory Committee when they agreed to recommend funding a portion of its marketing and promotional expenses at their virtual monthly meeting on Nov. 10. By a vote of 8-1, the board granted a modified funding request of $4,554 that will cover advertising and printing costs, as well as costs associated with hiring an "ambassador" to assist shoppers during business...
