Life in Boulder Valley
Latest News
|Life in Boulder Valley
Latest News

Subscribe

"Summer 2026 Plans: Kids Expo, spring prediction, side hustles, anticipated books, avalanche warning, and CU's $2M investment in African American Studies!"

|
Life in Boulder Valley

Life in Boulder Valley

Archives

"Summer 2026 Plans: Kids Expo, spring prediction, side hustles, anticipated books, avalanche warning, and CU's $2M investment in African American Studies!"

"Summer 2026 Plans: Kids Expo, spring prediction, side hustles, anticipated books, avalanche warning, and CU's $2M investment in African American Studies!"
Get ready for an epic summer in Colorado! From kids expos to book releases, avalanche warnings to exciting investments, there's something for everyone in 2026! 🌞📚🏔💾

Michele Hambach

Feb 9, 2026

Boulder, CO Weather Forecast – Feb 9 to Feb 15, 2026

Date Condition High / Low (°F) Precipitation
Mon, Feb 9 Sunny 48° / 33° 0.00" (dry)
Tue, Feb 10 Mostly cloudy 58° / 35° 0.00"
Wed, Feb 11 Light rain late 57° / 38° ~0.06" chance
Thu, Feb 12 Overcast / sprinkles 55° / 37° ~0.10"
Fri, Feb 13 Cloudy, morning clouds 51° / 34° 0.00"
Sat, Feb 14 Cloudy, light icy mix late 44° / 30° ~0.11"
Sun, Feb 15 Cloudy, sprinkles early 44° / 32° ~0.01"

Top "Good News" Stories

 

  • Flatiron Freddy Predicts Early Spring! While Punxsutawney Phil is the national celebrity, our local star, Flatiron Freddy (Boulder’s yellow-bellied marmot mascot), made his annual appearance on February 2nd. The "Good News"? Freddy stayed active and did not return to his burrow, which—according to local lore—predicts an early spring for the Boulder Valley!

  •  
  • Lafayette Neighborhoods Earn "Firewise" Safety Award Two local communities in Lafayette (Eldorado Springs and TACC-Stagecoach) have officially achieved the national Firewise USAÂź designation. This is a huge win for community safety, showing how neighbors are working together to reduce wildfire risks and keep our valley safe.

  •  
  • Air Quality Report: As of this week, the Colorado Department of Public Health reports that air quality in the Erie/Boulder area is Good, with no burning restrictions in place. A perfect reason to get outside!

Upcoming Positive Events (Feb 6 – Feb 15)

  • Sweetheart Dance (North Boulder):

    • When: Saturday, Feb 7, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

    • Where: North Boulder Rec Center

    • What: A wholesome family event for kids ages 2–10 and their grownups. Includes dancing and gymnastics. A great photo op for the newsletter!

  • Winter Walk and Bike Week:

    • When: Feb 8 – 14

    • What: The City of Boulder is encouraging everyone to brave the cold and embrace sustainable travel. It’s a great week to spot neighbors out on the trails.

  • "Balance" Quilt Exhibit:

    • Where: The Collective Community Arts Center (Lafayette)

    • What: A beautiful, quiet exhibit running now through March called Balance, featuring intricate works by the Studio Art Quilt Association.

Featured Recipe: "Marry Me Chicken" Pasta

 

Since Valentine's Day is Saturday, this viral recipe is perfect. It’s famous for being so good that "if you make it for someone, they might just propose!"

 

Headline: A Dish to Fall in Love With: Creamy Sundried Tomato Chicken

 

  • Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 20 mins

  •  
  • Ingredients:

    • 3 boneless chicken breasts, sliced into cutlets

    • 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes (chopped, in oil)

    • 3 cloves garlic (minced)

    • 1 cup heavy cream

    • 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

    • Fresh basil and red pepper flakes (for garnish)

    • Serve over: Penne or Angel Hair pasta

    •  
  • Quick Instructions:

    1. Sear the chicken in a skillet with the sundried tomato oil until golden (about 5 mins per side). Remove and set aside.

    2. In the same pan, sauté garlic and sundried tomatoes for 1 minute until fragrant.

    3. Lower heat; stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer until the sauce thickens.

    4. Return chicken to the pan to coat in the sauce.

    5. Serve over pasta and top with fresh basil.

😋Summer 2026 Plans?

Planning the perfect summer for Boulder County families just got much easier.

 

The 2026 Raised in the Rockies Kids Expo and Camps Fair is your indispensable guide to a world of local summer options.

 

Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

This free, in-person event will be held at the YMCA facility at 2800 Dagny Way in Lafayette.

 

It’s your chance to connect directly with leaders from dozens of local and regional camps.

 

Explore an incredible variety of programs, from STEM workshops and coding bootcamps to outdoor adventures, sports clinics, and performing arts.

 

This one-stop shop is the ideal place to ask questions, find exclusive sign-up deals, and discover the perfect fit for your child.

 

Don't miss this opportunity to craft an enriching summer that builds confidence, curiosity, and new friendships.


Read More...
Quote Of The Day

"Colorado is calling, and I must go." - John Muir 

Join our community of pet lovers dedicated to holistic care and discover how these patches can make a positive difference in your pet’s life!  Facebook:  Patch your Pets.  (I am a member)

 

Click here for the January 27th episode!

Science Corner: Helping Our Pets Heal (Naturally!)

 

We often hear about "stem cell patches" for humans, but did you know this technology is changing lives for our pets, too?

 

How do they actually work? It sounds like magic, but it’s actually phototherapy (light therapy).

 

  • No Drugs, No Chemicals: The patch itself is non-transdermal—nothing goes into the body.

  •  
  • The "Mirror" Effect: Instead, the patch reflects your pet's own body heat (infrared light) back into their skin at a specific frequency.

  •  
  • The "Good News" Signal: This signal elevates a copper peptide (GHK-Cu) that naturally activates the body's own stem cells.

  •  

Why use them for recovery? When our pets get older or recover from surgery, their stem cell activity slows down. By "waking up" these cells, we see:

 

  • Faster Healing: Great for post-surgery recovery or wounds.

  • Pain Relief: Significant reduction in inflammation (helpful for older dogs with arthritis).

  • More Energy: Many owners report their senior dogs acting like puppies again!

 

Neighbor Stories: Real Recoveries

Nothing beats hearing it from a neighbor. Here are a few stories from our pet community about how these patches have helped their best friends:

 

 
 
 
 
Not just for your horse but any animal..
4 days, friends! WOW! 4 days of patching! On day 2 they could start to see his eye again!
4 days of miracle transformation!
Look at this cute dog who only used Lifewave Patch for four days, once red and uncomfortable eyes, has improved significantly!
From its original discomfort and inflammation to its now apparently smooth and soothing state, Lifewave Patch brings hope and recovery to it.
This isn’t just a patch, it’s a magical tool for natural energy to activate the body to repair itself. It is not only effective for the human body, but also mild, drug-free and low side effects for pets, it is an intimate choice to protect the health.
Lifewave Patch, let love see.
  •  

May be an image of dog and text that says 'PIC. PIC.GRID GRID PIC 4 days, friends! WOW! 4 days of patching! On day 2 they could start to see his eye again!'

Our 10 year old Dobie got sick a couple of months ago. Panting non-stop, horrible drooling, diarrhea and could not lay down and get comfortable. She was very shaky when she walked almost like she would fall down at any moment.
Took her to the Vet and after $900 of tests, we were told everything looked great, so maybe she had pancreatitis. After a prescription and a special diet, she recovered after a couple of days. Been fine since.
Last Sunday evening, She started having all of the same symptoms as a couple of months ago minus the diarrhea. So, I patched her with an Aeon (for inflammation) and after about 30 minutes, her drooling stopped and after about an hour she stopped panting and layed down on her bed and slept the entire night. No Vet trip... 
See less

Comments

Arlene Montgomery
That’s wonderful! So happy to hear this.đŸ™ŒđŸ«¶đŸŒâ€ïž

Keeping Our Pets (and Wallets) Healthy "Let’s be honest: We love our pets like family, but we don’t love the vet bills. They seem to be climbing higher every year! That is why I am so excited about these patches. It feels empowering to have a tool at home that supports their recovery and pain relief naturally—without the stress of a vet visit or an expensive prescription. It’s 'Good News' for their joints and our bank accounts."

 

Local Pet Events: Mark Your Calendars!

 

. For the Cat Lovers: "Cat Cam" at ScorpiusFest

 

  • When: Saturday, Feb 28 | 2:45 PM

  • Where: Dairy Arts Center, Boulder

  • The Scoop: Part of the ScorpiusFest film festival, this screening features a hilarious (and slightly terrifying) short film about what happens when two owners set up a pet camera to watch their cat while they are away.

I don't know what a 'stem cell' is, Karen, but if it helps me jump onto the high shelf where you hide the treats, I'm in."

Community Spotlight: Making a Splash at "The Bob"

 

If you are looking for a way to beat the winter chill, look no further than Lafayette’s own Bob L. Burger Recreation Center (111 W. Baseline Rd).

While many know it for the treadmills, the real "Good News" is the Rose Lueras Aquatics Center. It is effectively a tropical vacation right in our backyard.

  • The Lazy River: Yes, you can float your cares away in a warm current while it snows outside.

  • The Water Slide: A 150-foot drop that isn't just for kids (we won't tell if you take a turn!).

  • Zero-Entry Pool: Perfect for the little ones or anyone who prefers a gentle entry into the water.

Flatiron Freddy Predicts Early Spring!

Secret Little Hack

Altitude sickness can be prevented by staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol, and resting frequently.

Local Spotlight: Nights Out at Nissi’s (Lafayette)

 

If you haven't been to the "new" Nissi's Entertainment Venue on Coal Creek Drive yet, you are missing out on one of Lafayette's best gems. It’s locally owned, the sound system is incredible, and the food is far better than your average concert hall fare (try the Bacon Wrapped Shrimp!).

 

"Good News" Bonus: Nissi's frequently hosts "100+ Women Who Care," a local group that pools donations for impactful local charities. It’s a venue that truly supports the community.

Upcoming Lineup (Feb 9 – Feb 15):

 

  • Tuesday, Feb 10: 100+ Women Who Care (Community Event)

  • Wednesday, Feb 11: Delta Sonics (Blues & Grooves) – FREE Show!

  • Thursday, Feb 12: The Margarita Brothers (Beach Party Vibes)

  • Friday, Feb 13: The Long Run (Eagles Tribute – always a sellout!)

  • Saturday, Feb 14: Thumpin’ (Valentine’s Dance Party – Funk, Soul & R&B)

Where: 1455 Coal Creek Dr, Unit T, Lafayette

Tickets: Nissis.com

For many across the valley, finding ways to make extra money is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity.

 

Fortunately, several side hustles are perfectly suited for those already working full-time jobs.

 

One of the fastest ways to generate cash is by selling unused items you already own, like electronics or clothes.

 

For residents in communities from Summerlin to Henderson, the neighborhood itself offers plenty of opportunity.

 

Pet sitting, dog walking, and simple odd jobs like yard work or garage cleaning are consistently in demand.

 

This isn't just about labor; it's about becoming a trusted local resource.

 

Additionally, the gig economy provides ultimate flexibility for those with busy schedules.

 

Driving for ride-sharing services or making food deliveries allows you to earn money whenever you have a spare hour, putting you in direct control of your income.


Read More...

Get ready to update your reading list, as 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for new books from beloved authors and exciting new voices.

 

Literary heavyweights are back with some of the most anticipated novels of the year.

 

Tayari Jones, celebrated author of “An American Marriage,” returns with “Kin,” while Booker Prize winner George Saunders releases his second novel, “Vigil.”

 

The nonfiction landscape is just as powerful and timely.

 

Historian Ibram X. Kendi is set to release “Chain of Ideas,” a vital history of the “great replacement theory,” and Michael Pollan will explore consciousness in “A World Appears.”

 

From bestsellers like Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney to debut authors like Kathleen Boland, there is a staggering diversity of new work hitting the shelves.

 

It’s the perfect time to head to your favorite local bookstore and get ready for a fantastic year of reading.


Read More...

An unusually dry winter has created a deceptive sense of safety in Colorado’s high country.

 

Despite historically low snowpack, a hidden and unpredictable avalanche danger persists, prompting warnings from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

 

The primary concern is a persistent slab problem, where a weak, sugary snow layer is buried beneath a dense, wind-hardened slab, creating highly unstable conditions on steep slopes.

 

This exact danger was highlighted by recent accidents, including one that seriously injured a backcountry skier in the Montezuma area near Keystone.

 

Days later, another skier triggered a large avalanche near Vail Pass, a slide big enough to have been fatal.

 

While avalanche danger is statistically low, experts warn that the underlying weak layers remain incredibly sensitive.

 

Backcountry travelers throughout Summit County are urged to use extreme caution, as low snow does not mean no risk.


Read More...

A landmark $2 million investment is set to propel the Center for African and African American Studies at CU Boulder into a new era of growth.

 

The significant funding commitment will be distributed over the next five years.

 

It represents a joint effort, with funds coming from both the local CU Boulder campus and the overarching University of Colorado System office.

 

This infusion of capital is a powerful vote of confidence in the vision of Director Reiland Rabaka and the center’s expanding influence since its recent opening.

 

The funds are designed to directly support students, faculty, and programming, enriching the academic landscape in Boulder.

 

This investment solidifies the center’s role as a cornerstone of the university’s commitment to diversity, ensuring the long-term success of Black studies for the entire campus community.


Read More...

/>
Life in Boulder Valley

Category

Join our Facebook Group

Follow our Facebook Page

© 2026 Life in Boulder Valley.


Newsletter featuring great things to see, do or eat in Boulder Valley.

© 2026 Life in Boulder Valley.

THIS PUBLICATION SPONSORED BY