All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Rock & Rails last Thursday evening opened with the great guitars and harmonies of Dean Himes and Mark Kaczorowski. The musicians, who often perform together, sang classics from the Allman Brothers, Loggins & Messina, Don Henley and many others. But their best effort was a song written by Himes titled "Seashell Memories." The duo sang and played country and country-rock style music under threatening skies and cooler temperatures, but the rain never came. Himes grew up in Pennsylvania, beginning...
It was the early 2000s and six men thought of forming a band. That day, Last Men On Earth (LMOE) was born–even though it was one coin flip away from being called "Kamel Toe." One of those men was Michael Holubec. A born and raised Niwotian, he's stuck around the area and performs with LMOE as often as possible. "We were all a little older, we all had kids, we wanted to do [professional music] on our terms," said Holubec. "It's cool to do something in your spare time with your friends." As a y...
There aren't many bands fans can hear at Rock & Rails and also enjoy in a store's music feed while shopping at WalMart, Target or elsewhere. But that's the case for Twenty Hands High, the nationally touring Southern rock band that's this week's performer. We talked to CW, the band's founder, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, about the band and the upcoming performance. Q: So, what are your thoughts in advance of Rock & Rails? CW: We're stoked to be part of the whole lineup. When you do get to...
A large crowd came early to the July 21 Rock & Rails concert, and were treated to an opening performance by "Dr. Banjo and Nurse Banjo," otherwise known as Pete and Joan Wernick, who have made their home just across the Diagonal Highway on Oxford Road since 1976. Pete played banjo, and his wife Joan accompanied him on the guitar, with both contributing vocals. Pete and Joan have a unique progressive bluegrass, country music style. Joan also has a wonderful voice she shared, singing some of the...
This Friday, July 29, the Colorado Rockies face the LA Dodgers at Coors Field in Denver, and the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band is scheduled to perform the National Anthem to open the game. Since its founding on July 4, 2005, at the dedication of the bandstand at Whistle Stop Park, the band has always had its collective eye on interesting local venues. The band is a regular at Niwot events, including the 4th of July celebration, the "Why Not Niwot?" Juried Art Show, Enchanted...
Jeff and Dawn Server hosted the July 12 meeting of the NIwot Business Association at their home in Heather Hills, which is also the site of Meadow Lake Honey. Dawn Server explained the varieties of lavender plants they grow to support the bees which produce the honey. She noted that the best health benefits for our immune systems are achieved by consuming raw honey produced by bees near your home. "Bees will go two to three miles," she explained. "Milkweed is their favorite." NBA President Eric...
The Eagles is the kind of music that whenever it's played it's hard to keep from tapping your feet or humming along. Fans know the songs, though many prefer one style of the group's songs over another. When The Long Run takes the stage at Rock & Rails, fans can do more than hum or tap. They can dance the night away while, according to rumors, enjoying more copious adult beverages than at any other Rock & Rails show. Band founder and Don Henley-style vocalist Mark Trippensee talked to us about...
The audience gathered for Rock & Rails last Thursday evening enjoyed a great opening act featuring Longmont's Tim Ostdiek, performing with Jenny Balagna. The music by the singer-songwriter was fun and energetic. He strummed and picked his way lyrically through several of his tunes while Balagna provided close harmony. She also played the keyboard backing her partner's fanciful guitar work. Ostdiek grew up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, but calls Longmont his home. He is well known on the local music...
Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) is hosting a series of events to raise money for the Monarch Improvement Project. NYS, which was originally formed in 1972 as Gunbarrel Lefthand Valley Boys Baseball, Inc, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing exceptional recreational and competitive sports experiences for kids ages 4 to 18 in the Niwot-Gunbarrel area. These programs, which include baseball, softball, basketball, flag football & soccer, provide children with the opportunity to participate i...
The race for Boulder County Commissioner in the Democratic primary election had to wait until all corrected and absentee ballots were counted before the results were certain. Ashley Stolzmann, Louisville mayor, had a 42-vote lead over Ealaina Shively, an attorney with the Boulder County District Attorney’s office, after over 55,000 votes were counted. When the last of the corrected ballots were in, her lead increased to 68 votes, with a total of 27,870 votes for her, compared to 27,802 votes for Shively. Though the margin of victory triggers an...
Master blues guitarist Sammy Mayfield comes to this week's Rock & Rails stage after playing with a list of major gospel, soul and blues musical legends. During his time as musical director with Solomon Burke, he traveled the world and he's shared the stage with Ike Turner, The Neville Brothers, Charlie Musselwhite, Little Richard and others. In recent years, he's continued to produce work and locals can also hear him on the airwaves every other Saturday with KUVO's All Blues radio show....
Mark Oblinger and Linda Lawson provided a rare treat for early arrivals at Rock & Rails in Niwot July 7. Oblinger is a Grammy nominee and Emmy Award-winning singer-songwriter who lives in nearby Boulder, and he brought Lawson along to join in the performance. Oblinger played his acoustic guitar while singing an eclectic mix of heartfelt soul, rock, and R&B. Lawson accompanied him with a great keyboard mix and vocals. It seemed almost second nature for them to perform together as they played a mi...
Proving the event has staying power, the Second Annual Niwot Jazz Festival wrapped up Saturday night, June 25, 2022. Approximately 650 people were in attendance throughout the afternoon and evening and enjoyed almost perfect weather and an even better jazz lineup. Keith Waters, the Jazz Festival's Musical Director, as well as CU Music Professor and Inkberry Books co-owner said, "We were really delighted with the way it turned out." Musicians from as far away as New York and Washington, DC,...
Nothing conjures up a deeper sense of patriotism and belonging to a community like a 4th of July parade, and Niwot's celebration has a way of elevating that hometown, apple pie feeling to the max. There are kids riding their streamer-adorned bikes, horse-mounted riders carrying flags, well-represented community organizations walking with their banners, all encased in a backdrop of majestic music. And of course there's the Grand Marshal riding in a spiffy convertible smiling and waving to the cro...
It's not every day that a double billing from the Colorado Music Hall of Fame graces the Rock & Rails stage. But that's what audiences will get on Thursday when Chris Daniels and the Kings with Freddi Gowdy performs. Daniels talked to us about his music, his band's history, the time a movie featuring him and his band was shot at Rock & Rails, and how he approaches his performances. Q: So how are you feeling about the upcoming concert? CD: It's one of our favorite concerts of the entire year....
This past week's Rock & Rails concert had a unique opening performance by the talented Derek DeMuth. Despite the threatening weather, many came to enjoy this young artist's great music. Derek plays his guitar in a unique fashion creating a kaleidoscope of musical color and sounds encompassing the spectrum. Derek uses his hands to tap the guitar in a percussive manner giving the illusion of full band accompaniment. When Derek is playing his guitar, he seems to wrap himself around the instrument...
Nothing conjures up a deeper sense of patriotism and belonging to a community like a 4th of July parade, and Niwot's celebration has a way of elevating that hometown, apple pie feeling to the max. There are kids riding their streamer-adorned bikes, horse-mounted riders carrying flags, well-represented community organizations walking with their banners, all encased in a backdrop of majestic music. And of course there's the Grand Marshal riding in a spiffy convertible smiling and waving to the...
Kristin Henry is a character. She's enthusiastic and excited to talk about everything from music to musicals, to her new favorite movie (Everything Everywhere All At Once). She sat down at a table for two in the Old Oak Coffeehouse, mug in hand and a smile on her face. Right away, she began talking about Boulder County and how excited she was to talk about music. Originally from Philadelphia, Henry was a classically trained singer who then moved to Colorado to attend graduate school at the...
It's a special moment when a local musician can take the stage at Rock & Rails. That's what will happen this Thursday as Tierro Band with Bridget Law headlines. The group is helmed by guitarist, founder and area resident Tierro Lee, who is excited to once again play for friends and neighbors. As an additional treat, he's planning to have his son take the stage with him in a musical debut. Tierro Band has been lauded by a number of industry-leading musicians including Michael Travis of String...
Last Thursday night at Rock & Rails Concert, the crowd was entertained during the opening by the gifted and talented pair known as the Strangebyrds. At 5 p.m. they started their set with a song titled "Angeline's" from their CD "Highway Islands." The Strangebyrds, Cari Minor and Ray Smith, have been together for several years, both personally and professionally. Their harmonies and guitar playing were appreciated by the audience. Their music is primarily original compositions. Besides the...
This past Thursday evening's Rock & Rails featured Loveland's Wendy Woo as the opener. Woo is a Colorado singer-songwriter renowned for her guitar work, particularly her unique style of percussive interludes coupled with vocals and guitar. This "slaptap" technique, as Woo has dubbed it, lends a rhythmically complex backdrop of percussion to her music where Woo slaps and taps on her guitar's body and neck, creating an aural treat for all to behold. With over thirty years of performing...
Ron Ivory and his group One on One are a staple of performance venues like Nissi's and Colorado's outdoor community summer concerts. Fans appreciate the blend of Motown, classic soul and old school R&B the musicians offer, and audiences get up out of their seats for covers of classics from The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Al Greene and more. Ron talked to us about how this blend keeps audiences moving while at the same time moves them so that their night becomes something more than what they might...
The monthly Niwot Business Association meeting, hosted by Pat Murphy and the Niwot Group-Compass June 14 at their offices at 7916 Niwot Road, included a lively discussion of food trucks and other mobile vendors in Niwot. NBA president Eric Bergeson of Niwot Wheel Works noted that the topic had come up at the NBA Executive Committee meeting and at the Niwot Future League (NFL) meeting recently. The main issues discussed were whether food trucks and other mobile vendors should pay a fee to the...
Mojomama is no stranger to the Rock & Rails stage and each year the award-winning rhythm and blues band is pleased to return. Jessica Rogalski, the band's co-founder and soloist, talked to us about Mojomama, why they appreciate the chance to return each year, standout memories from past performances, and what it's been like to found a band with her husband. . Q: So this isn't your first time performing at Rock & Rails? JR: No. I think this might be the fifth time, fourth or fifth time. Q: So...
This week's Rock & Rails headliner, Atomga, is bringing its signature mix of Afrobeat music infused with jazz, rock, hip hop and funk to Whistlestop Park June 9. The band was co-founded by tenor sax player Frank Roddy and guitarist Casey Hrdlicka who met when they were part of the nonprofit organization, Friends of Red Rocks. Roddy brought a background as a Nashville-based songwriter to the band, while Hrdlicka, who also teaches music classes at Denver's Swallow Hill, brought a performance...
Niwot had a busy start to the first week of June, with Rock and Rails opening on Thursday night, June 2, followed by the First Friday Art Walk, and the first of two Sidewalk Sales on Saturday. Local retail businesses offered special promotions and musicians played all day around town in the brilliant sunshine. A few pop up vendors dotted around, storytellers and bubbles plus the popcorn truck with kettlekorn and shaved ice providing a wonderful atmosphere for shoppers and diners all day. The...
This year's Rock & Rails season kicked off–appropriately–with the high-energy funk music of Funkiphino. Niwot's free summer concert series runs every Thursday night, June through August, in Whistle Stop Park. As the recipient of the 2006 Governor's Award for Downtown Excellence for Best Promotional Event, Rock & Rails is well-attended, and much loved. Rock & Rails is sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and the Niwot Business Association, with funding from the Niwot Local Imp...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) Board returned to the Mountain View Fire Protection District conference room for its monthly meeting on June 1st. It had not been possible to meet at that location since early in the pandemic. The annual Niwot Cleanup Day was held on an unusually chilly May 21st. Organized by Board member John Barto, this event allows NCA members to drop off a variety of types of household and yard materials at the temporary site set up for the event in the Niwot High School parking lot. It is free for NCA members, which...
Rock & Rails is a well-loved, much-attended community event in Niwot's very own Whistle Stop Park. As the recipient of the 2006 Governor's Award for Downtown Excellence for Best Promotional Event, Rock & Rails benefits many who volunteer to make all the magic happen. The free summer concert series takes the stage at Niwot's Whistle Stop Park at 1st Avenue and Murray Street in historic downtown Niwot, Colorado, and is produced by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association in conjunction with the Niwot...
Now in its 11th year, the Niwot Cultural Arts Association’s 2022 Why Not Niwot? Juried Art Show is just around the corner. All entries are due by Monday, June 13. Each entry must feature Niwot in some way and will be used by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) to market and show the uniqueness of Niwot. The cost to enter is $30, with $15 charged for a second entry. Anne Postle, owner of Osmosis Art and Architecture and originator of the event, said, “Entries have already started to come in. It’s going to be a really good year.” Recentl...
Five months have elapsed since the Marshall Fire, and as the affected families continue the long process of rebuilding their homes and lives, Niwot's 'Small Town, Big Heart' campaign continues to drive on toward the Niwot Business Association's goal of donating $100,000 to victims of the devastating fire. Deborah Read Fowler, vice-president of the NBA and local broker at the Niwot Colorado Landmark office, has spearheaded the Small Town, Big Heart Wildfire Relief Fund campaign from day one. "I...
Rock & Rails, Niwot's signature summer concert series, kicks off the 2022 season on June 2 with popular local guitarist Kevin Dooley opening for Funkiphino at Whistle Stop Park, located at the intersection of 1st Avenue and Murray Street. Satir DeMarco, who has booked the bands for Niwot's summer concert series since its start in 2006, announced the lineup. Funkiphino is a 13-member band, based out of Longmont, which performed in Washington, D.C. for the 55th Presidential Inaugural Ball in...
The Big Tom Colony sounds like a rock band (remember Big Head Todd?) or maybe a nudist camp, but it's actually a colony of feral cats named for Abo's Pizza businessman Tom Smathers, or "Big Tom '' as he is locally known. Niwot residents have known Big Tom for 24 years as the former owner of Abo's in Niwot. Nowadays you can catch a glimpse of Smathers running his outdoor catering business or Abo's Pizza in North Boulder. His catering business, Abo's Special Events & Catering, provides pizza from...
The Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) approved five funding requests at its regular meeting May 3, including funding for three popular community events. Scott Firle chaired the meeting, with advisory board members Lisa Rivard, Cornelia Sawle, Bruce Rabeler, Jeff Knight, Heidi Storz and Keith Waters also in attendance, along with Boulder County liaison Mark Ruzzin. The Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) and the Niwot Business Association (NBA), co-managers of the Rock & Rails summer...
The Niwot Community Association’s (NCA) monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 4, covered a multitude of timely issues and events ranging from the latest on the Boulder Library District to the organization’s array of upcoming events. Boulder Library District update The NCA has been keeping close tabs on the possibility that a Boulder Public Library District could potentially include Niwot in its scope. In late April, the Boulder City Council declared it saw “no path forward to reconcile with the Boulder County Commissioners on a library resol...
Born in the Bronx and having traveled the world, Kathy Trauner, now a long-time Colorado resident, turned a great idea into reality last year for Niwot residents feeling trapped by Covid. The owner of Fly Away Home gift and art shop in Cottonwood Square, Trauner inaugurated "Around the World Day," a creative event which will return here May 14. Inspired by the wish to bring international experiences to Niwot residents when travel was restricted, the event invites all businesses on 2nd Avenue...
For the third time, Bootstrap Brewing Company's Wreak Havoc Imperial Red took home a bronze medal at this year's World Beer Cup in the strong red ale category. Beloved in our area, the south Longmont brewery is owned by Niwot residents Leslie and Steve Kazceus, and was previously located on the back side of Cottonwood Square, at the site that now houses Fritz Family Brewers. When asked about the win, Leslie Kazceus was as excited as she was succinct. "We're so stoked about this," she responded....
Cimmini's was packed last Tuesday for the monthly Niwot Business Association meeting. It might have had something to do with the refreshments provided by the popular Italian restaurant, and it might have had something to do with the speaker for the evening. NBA president Eric Bergeson began by welcoming new NBA members, including Lisa Nesper with Cross Country Mortgage in Niwot Square and Kristin Dura with Una Vida in Cottonwood Square. Bergeson then shifted to announcements and a number of...
Jeff Knight, a Niwot resident since 2005, was appointed to the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) by the Boulder County Commissioners. Knight was designated by the Niwot Community Association (NCA) as its nominee for the NCA representative position on the nine-member committee, which considers funding requests for sales tax dollars for projects and events which benefit the business district in Niwot. Knight, who resides in the Burgundy Park subdivision, also serves on the...
When the community's "Small Town Big Heart" fundraising campaign to help Marshall fire victims kicked off during Apres Ski Weekend at the end of January, coordinator and NBA Vice-President Deborah Read Fowler expected that it could take through the summer to reach an ultimate goal of $100,000. But thanks to the generosity of area residents, the effort is getting closer much earlier than that. So far, the campaign has raised $62,468, including a single $10,000 contribution from an anonymous...
Do you like Rock & Rails? Have you ever ridden the Winter Park Ski Train? A summer version of that train may be coming to Niwot on Thursday evenings for our town's summer concert series. The word is out on Rock & Rails, and Denver music lovers are tuned in. At the moment, plans are still a bit up in the air, but the SBNF (Simply Beautiful Niwot Fun) rail plan is in the works, and it has the NACC's (Niwot Activity Community Club) basic approval. "The plan works on so many levels." one NACC...
Deborah Read Fowler, NBA vice-president and chief architect of Niwot's Small Town/Big Heart fundraising effort to assist victims of the Marshall Fire, reported that the fund is now at $60,160.75 as of March 16. The Niwot Business Association's goal is to raise $100,000 from the Niwot community. Several Niwot businesses have hosted fundraising events, and students at Niwot High School have joined the effort. Donations are being administered by the Community Foundation for Boulder County, and so...
A campaign launched by Niwot businesses to raise $100,000 for Marshall Fire victims is more than one-third of the way to its goal after just three weeks. According to organizers for the "Small Town Big Heart" fund, a combination of donations, benefit concerts, and other local events has brought in $38,504 since late January, a testament to the community's generosity. "This town rocks," Colorado Landmark realtor Deborah Read Fowler said. "What's so cool about it is we're seeing residents and busi...
The popular weekly concert series Rock & Rails is returning to Niwot's Whistle Stop Park for 13 shows in 2022, and organizers are gearing up for another great summer of live music and family fun on Thursday nights. "We're looking forward to another successful season," co-manager Bruce Warren of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association said. "We're adding some new local talent for opening acts along with the return of popular favorites." Along with Warren, Dan Hawk of Edward Jones and Vicki Maurer of...
Though it doesn't seem possible, Niwot's arts scene is about to grow larger. The Niwot Play Company is bringing dance and theater classes to the heart of the community. The organization is run by theater professional and co-owner Lindy Bartruff and her husband Jim. They are excited to be in the area and bring their knowledge and experience to residents of all ages. "We came here December of 2020 to be near my mom and sister," Lindy Bartruff said. "The second we came to Niwot it was an...
When a call for help goes out in Niwot, it seems as though Gil Pomeroy's hand shoots up faster than anyone else's. Oktoberfest, Rock & Rails, Niwot Jazz Festival, you name it, he's there. Pomeroy may be new-ish to town, but he quickly started giving his time and energy to make Niwot a better place. He's made loads of new friends and admirers along the way. That's why a long-time Niwot resident suggested we feature Pomeroy in our Familiar Face column and learn about his life. Left Hand Valley...
Like it or not, 2022 is just around the corner, and if your plans for the new year involve bettering the world, there's no better place to start than your own community. The Left Hand Valley is home to dozens of non-profit organizations that are making a difference, and they need engaged volunteers to help them do it. No experience is necessary; there's a position for you. By volunteering, not only are you helping your community, you'll also reap the benefits from connecting with others, learnin...
In 2020, charitable giving rose to an all-time high in the U.S., even as many Americans struggled with uncertainty and disruptions. While that is good news for the nation's non-profit organizations, the unfortunate reality is that much of the bounty went to high profile causes and groups, leaving small and locally-focused charities scrambling to make up for lost fundraising opportunities. As 2021 comes to a close, many of those groups could still use some help to balance the scales. "There are a...
As part of the effort to update the town's five-year strategic plan, the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee invited leaders from more than a dozen local community organizations to a round table discussion at the Left Hand Grange on Nov. 2 to discuss how to prioritize tax revenues over the coming years and encourage cooperation among the groups on community projects. Among the groups represented were the Niwot Business Association, Niwot Community Association, the Rotary Club of...
