All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 301 - 350 of 499
"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...
Eli Buzas brought the idea of forming an education foundation to Niwot High School from Florida when he moved to Colorado in 1991. Buzas, who died earlier this year of COVID-19 complications, envisioned a foundation that did more than provide scholarships to students. Other school foundations in the school district raised money for scholarships, but Buzas had in mind a foundation that could fund current projects as well as develop a long-range funding program. Through his leadership while workin...
Geologically prominent Haystack Mountain has long been in the midst of area history and now it will be marking another transition. Protruding several hundred feet over the Left Hand Creek Valley, the mountain served as an excellent vantage point to watch over buffalo and a sturdy weather barrier as Chief Niwot's Arapaho tribe spent winters in the valley until they were forced to move to Sand Creek in the 1860's. The US government sold a 240-acre parcel that included the mountain to local...
Mother's Day is just around the corner, and if you're considering how to show appreciation to someone special, there are plenty of options for local gifts. Better yet, dollars that are spent in the community stay in the community, supporting local retailers and their families. Below are several gift ideas that can be purchased in the area. Each of them centers around different approaches to celebrating the mother in your life. Surprise her with something unusual Sometimes the best gift is...
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...
One of last year's favorite Niwot downtown events, the Sidewalk Sale on 2nd Avenue and at Cottonwood Square, is set to return. "We've got a better idea of what people like, what goes, what doesn't. It's starting to get a bit of a following and people are actually asking about it now," said the event's creator, Deborah Fowler of DRF Realty/Colorado Landmark Realtors. The Sidewalk Sale is not only coming back, but it is also getting bigger and better. Instead of three dates, there will be six:...
The Rotary Club of Niwot is currently the only nationally chartered service club meeting in Niwot. While the Niwot area has in the past had Optimists,Lions, Jaycees and Kiwanis clubs, the local rotary club now serves the community in a variety of ways, with a focus on education. “We just celebrated our 12th anniversary,” Doug Montgomery said of the organization which was formed in 2008. “It’s alive, it’s active, it’s growing.” Montgomery served as president of the Niwot club until July of 2020, and will become president of the affiliated ch...
Pat Murphy and Niwot Real Estate couldn't go another year without an Easter celebration. But rather than host an Easter egg hunt, as she has done for decades prior to the pandemic, Murphy sponsored a pancake breakfast at her office building at the intersection of Niwot Road and 79th Street April 3, complete with balloons, eggs and goodie bags for children. The turnout for the free community event was steady all morning, with families enjoying the music of Eddie Spaghetti as well as the trio...
From historic droughts and wildfires, recent air quality scandals, unwanted dam expansion, rapid development, and population growth, Colorado is facing both challenges and opportunities in the management of the state’s natural resources in light of climate change. The Longmont Museum is tackling these tough topics with a week-long virtual program to discuss these big issues facing our environment. The Climate Change series will examine climate change, its impact, and potential solutions. ...
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...
The Easter Bunny won't be hiding eggs in Niwot this year, but that won't stop Pat Murphy from filling baskets and bellies at a free pancake breakfast at Niwot Real Estate (7915 Niwot Rd.) on Saturday, April 3, from 8 - 11 a.m. "I couldn't go by another year without doing anything," Murphy said. "All of my volunteers are helping. My tried and true flippers Chris Klatt and the gang will be flipping." Murphy has been hosting the town's annual Easter egg hunt for more than 40 years, and was crushed...
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...
You're in the midst of Thomas Studholme's artwork when you shop and stroll in Niwot. Studholme's paintings are found throughout the Niwot Market and likely, Studholme himself is at the market, so mask aside, he's got a very recognizable face. For the last four years, he's painted holiday scenes on the windows of local businesses and won several awards as a result. We asked this Familiar Face some questions to get to know the man behind the art. Left Hand Valley Courier (LHVC) - How did life...
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 Little Holiday Shops at Niwot, the Cottonwood Square microbusiness retail store that closed its doors at the end of last year, is poised to reappear permanently as the Little Shops at Niwot. On March 1st, it will set out a welcome mat in the old Shopgirl space next to Winot Coffee. "There were so many festivals and markets that were canceled due to COVID 19, and so many artists. We wanted to give them a place where they could still sell," Leigh Suskin, the Little Shops proprietor, said. ""Th...
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...
On Jan. 23, a dedicated group of local runners donned hats, gloves, and masks to get a jump start on their January in the four-mile Niwot fun run. Afterwards, participants enjoyed hot chocolate and other treats courtesy of Niwot Market and run organizer Alison Steele (center, with pink mask)....
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...
This is the final entry in a three-part series on how the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on high school athletics have impacted college recruiting for the Class of 2021. Read part one here and part two here. One of the best ways for high school athletes to market themselves, particularly in baseball, is to attend showcase events. College coaches can watch potential recruits in action and assess the player competing against elite athletes, more than just through a highlight video. But with COVID, these events have suffered greatly. “(With) t...
For over a decade, the Niwot Tavern has hosted a free Christmas dinner for those in need. This year, owners Tara Kpogoh-Narh and Stacy Szydlek have continued the tradition, but they've had to adapt. "[Former owner] Bob [Russell], it was kind of his thing and he passed away," said co-owner Stacy Szydlek. "We continued it on for him." In previous years, there have been multiple seating opportunities for people wanting to partake in the dinner--senior citizens were bussed in for one seating, other...
This past month, Niwot's Bootstrap Brewing received some positive news to finish out its year. The brewery medaled three times in a pair of some of the most well regarded beverage competitions in the country: the U.S. Open Beer Championships and its counterpart, the U.S. Open Cider and Beverage Championships. In the beer competition, one of Bootstrap's most well-known beers, Wreak Havoc Red, took home gold in the Imperial Red Ale category. As more of a welcomed surprise, the brewery's newer...
December has brought a range of new art to the walls of Niwot businesses. These micro exhibits give needed visibility to regional talent during the holidays, and the exposure is appreciated by both the artists and community members alike. This is the case for Amanda Maldonado, the artist currently featured at Winot Coffee. Maldonado shared that her style has grown a lot in 2020 and that she's leaning more towards community-based work. "I wanted to find a way to feel more connected to the rest...
We're in the home stretch of the holiday shopping season, and for those of you with a few names left to check off your gift list, be sure to consider one of the dozens of unique items from the artists, authors and crafters that call Niwot and Gunbarrel home. Niwot in watercolor Niwot's historic downtown is a frequent subject of resident and renowned artist Jane Langdon, whose graceful style evokes warmth and nostalgia. Recently, her wintry depiction of 2nd Avenue was featured on the Niwot...
Niwot's 2020 holiday celebration continued last weekend with the Niwot Holiday Market and WINC Holiday Fayre. Cottonwood Square and 2nd Avenue were decked out for the occasion, including this joyful ice sculpture by Ice Cubed, which stood in front of Adam Robinson's Seven Wealth office at 240B, 2nd Ave. Carolers and musicians entertained shoppers with holiday standards, while Santa and Mrs. Claus took gift requests outside the Left Hand Grange. The festivities will continue on Dec. 12, with the...
Back in March, streaks of panic buying due to COVID-19 left stores barren of cleaning supplies, bathroom essentials and canned foods. Niwot Market owners were forced to limit purchases of certain items to one or two per person. The supply chain slowed down as big vendors shifted to the bigger markets, leaving owners Alison Steele and Bert Steele to look towards quickly developing new relationships with smaller vendors. However, the Steeles are confident now that they have the resources necessary...
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...
A socially-distant version of Niwot's annual holiday celebration kicked off on Friday, Nov. 27 with a pandemic-friendly Enchanted Evening. Masked shoppers strolled through town while carolers, entertainers, and musicians played holiday favorites, including a set from the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange (Masked) Band. Santa also made a grand appearance on a horse-drawn carriage, though he stayed outdoors to hear socially distanced Christmas wishes, per state and county guidelines. 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...
In a year when many well-loved group events have had to be canceled, it's refreshing to see the beginning of a new annual tradition: The Niwot Turkey Trot. Holding an event in light of rising Covid-19 numbers isn't something to be taken lightly. The event's organizing committee, a group of Niwot business owners, know this. They're doing everything they can to be careful. While the race, due to its nature, will be held outdoors, there are other things organizers are planning to keep things safe....
In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, all fighting as a result of World War I officially ended with the signing of an armistice with Germany. Since then, it has been a day around the world to remember those events and those who served. In 1954, various veterans' organizations within the United States banded together to have Armistice Day be renamed to Veterans Day. While Memorial Day honors those who died while in the military service.Veterans Day celebrates all who have...
Jane Leland Langdon's art expresses what's in her heart - a genuine love for life and others. You've seen Langdon's oil and watercolor paintings in Niwot and Boulder County businesses and homes. She's the Niwotian you just can't help but notice because of her lovely large smile and easy laugh. I met Langdon years ago waiting in the check-out line at the grocery store where she struck up a conversation and I was thrilled that we continued to cross paths again and again. This Familiar Face column...
Last week, Renee and Bill McDermid of the Hampton Inn in Gunbarrel needed help feeding firefighters working on the CalWood and Left Hand Canyon fires, as many area restaurants were closed for dining. That spurred a number of Niwot residents into action, and before long, firefighters from Oregon, Nebraska, and elsewhere were well fed and ready to battle the blazes. Niwot Community Association donated $500 to be used towards the purchase of food. The Niwot Cookie Moms also chipped in with home...
It's shaping up to be a busy, but socially distanced winter around Niwot, as the LID advisory committee members considered funding requests for upcoming holiday themed events at their virtual monthly meeting on Oct. 6. Treasurer's Report First, however, they heard from LID treasurer Bruce Rabeler, who led off with a concerning notice from the Boulder County finance office regarding the district's 2020 earnings. According to county analyst David Thayer, the state of Colorado believes the LID's hi...
Something sweet has found a new home in Niwot. Late this August, chocolate candy maker Little Secrets moved its offices from Boulder to a new location just behind 2nd Avenue. According to President and COO Jeremy Vandervoet, they plan to settle in. "We signed a three year lease and anticipate being in the area for the near, medium, and longer term," he said. Founded in 2015, the company has fairly large ambitions for doing something different in the chocolate world: re-making chocolate so...
On Sept. 17, as Niwot finally enjoyed the cooler temperatures of a late summer afternoon, the doors opened at The Wheel House bar and café at 101 2 nd Ave in Niwot. The new gathering spot is an extension of Wheel Works bicycle shop, founded three years ago across the street. "Business in our old location did really well, and we made the decision late last year to move across the street," Eric Bergeson, who co-owns the Wheel House with his wife Tammy, said. "We actually started the move in Februa...
Before the coronavirus pandemic, the commercial real estate market in Niwot and surrounding communities in Boulder County was robust. While some properties such as the former Colterra restaurant have remained visibly vacant, generally the commercial market here sees low vacancy rates and high demand. The Courier checked in this week with Jim Ditzel, co-owner and founder of Summit Commercial Brokers in Niwot, for an update on the local commercial market. Summit Commercial is a full service commer...
After a summer of cancelations, on Saturday, Sept. 12, Niwot saw its second weekend of outdoor events with its second sidewalk sale. Merchants in Cottonwood Square and 2nd Avenue put up tents and welcomed customers into their shops, though with limited capacity. The weather even cooperated. Following the Friday, Sept. 4, first Art Walk of the year, the Sidewalk Sale was a smashing success, with most merchants giving the event a thumbs up. Liz Gould of Little Bird said that people were buying...
For over 35 years, the Firehouse Art Center has been the leading contemporary art center in Longmont, featuring national and local artists with over a dozen exhibitions a year. Founded in 1986, the center has been a cornerstone of the Longmont Creative District where it was started by local artists to create a space for artists to create as well as exhibit their work. "Our mission is to bring arts and culture to our community through education, exhibits and cultural events," said Elaine...
In a year when many business headlines aren't positive, Bootstrap Brewing Company, founded in Niwot, recently made a significant staffing and financing announcement. Geoff Hess, former Regional Director of National Accounts at CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective, will join Bootstrap's staff as the director of sales. In addition, Dale Katechis, founder of Oskar Blues Brewery, will join Bootstrap as an advisor and investor. The amount of his investment hasn't been specified. The good news spilled...
The Rotary Club was founded over a century ago in Chicago, and since then, the organization has advanced to nearly every corner of the globe, including several local clubs in the Left Hand Valley and St. Vrain Valley areas. Rotary International is best known as a service organization, and their work on polio eradication is well documented, a hallmark of local Rotary clubs around the world, including those in the Left Hand Valley. A recent merger between two local clubs, the St. Vrain and the...
It is a truth that food brings people together-family gatherings, casual business meetings, and first dates often occur with some sort of dining experience. Even pop-culture recognizes the level of importance of restaurants. Famously, in When Harry Met Sally, Marie (played by Carrie Fisher) said, "Restaurants are to people in the 80s what theatres were to people in the 60s." Dining out has become more complicated lately, especially in light of COVID. In response, the Niwot Business Association...
August has seen local Niwot businesses getting creative with their offerings. From socially distanced movie screenings to live music to car shows, there are more than a few reasons why you might want to swing through downtown Niwot this month. Car Show Fridays at Cottonwood Square From 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday in August, Cottonwood Square will be hosting a socially distanced car show. People are invited to bring their hot rods, classics, sports cars, motorcycles, and even their antiques out to...
After taking a short summer break in July, the Niwot LID advisory committee was back in action on Aug. 4 with a full agenda. Treasurer's Report LID Treasurer Bruce Rabeler opened the meeting with a financial update, starting with the latest revenue reports from the Colorado Department of Revenue. For now, revenue collections are holding steady in Niwot, despite ongoing restrictions on large events and indoor dining. The Niwot LID earned a combined $29,968 in April ($15,560) and May ($14,408),...
The market for personal protective equipment, or PPE, operates like the Wild West, as Niwot entrepreneur Dave Rechberger explains it. He leveraged his contacts in the medical business and got into the chaotic market early this year when there became a critical need for PPE for medical providers who couldn't get masks and other equipment due to major shortages, supply chain disruptions, fierce competition and unscrupulous actors working under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic. The owner of...
