Pull up a chair. The days are getting longer, the dirt is thawing, and somewhere between a buried flagpole on 4th Street and a thornless berry bush in your backyard, this week's issue found its shape. We've got a hundred-year-old cast iron pipe, a Windsor restaurant built out of fire and timber and good tequila, and the second installment of the Shrub Club, which is becoming one of my favorite things we do. The Happenings list is stacked too. Get out there.

Let’s dig in!

– Megan

Remember last week when we talked about the 4th Street HIP Streets project? Well, turns out digging up a main street has been an accidental archaeology dig, and Loveland's got some things to show for it.

At the intersection of 4th and Lincoln, crews hit a massive concrete column buried dead center in the road. Turns out it was the foundation of a "Victory" flagpole — erected in 1918 to celebrate Loveland's fundraising success during the World War I Liberty Loan campaign. After the war, the flagpole came down, but the base stayed. It eventually became the footing for Loveland's very first traffic signal, quietly guiding cars through downtown until it was paved over and forgotten.

That wasn't the only thing in the dirt. Workers also pulled up segments of old wooden water pipes and glass bottles — fragments of the late 1800s infrastructure that once kept this corner of the Front Range alive.

And then there's the cast-iron water pipe found under the BNSF tracks at 4th and Railroad. It was laid in 1924, when Loveland had 5,600 people and railcars were still loading wheat at the Main Depot. It sat four feet below the active tracks for a hundred years — through beet harvests, wartime, and Loveland growing to 85,000 people, before finally being replaced this February. The old cast-iron pipe was pumped full of concrete and capped at both ends, left in the earth rather than pulled out, which could have destabilized the ground beneath the tracks.

The concrete flagpole base, though? That one made it out. It's been relocated to the pocket park near Thompson Park on 4th Street if you want to go see a piece of 1918 Loveland in person.

👉 Learn more about it on the cities project page

Housed inside the historic Windsor Mill — complete with the original wood beams and red brick that survived the 2017 fire — Tiho’s brings a vibrant energy to downtown Windsor.

The name itself is a deep-cut local tribute: it’s named after Tiho Elevation, a bull that once roamed the nearby Fisher Farm. It’s the perfect blend of Windsor’s agricultural roots and a modern, vibrant downtown hangout.

Why We Love Them:

The History: Sitting among the literal foundations of the Windsor Mill makes the margaritas taste a little more meaningful.

The Vibe: It manages to feel both upscale and community-rooted — ideal for a Friday night when you want ‘vibrant’ without the ‘corporate.’

The Menu: A genuinely fantastic lineup of tequilas and tacos that honors the "Tiho Elevation" name by raising the bar for downtown dining.

How to Support: Swing by the Mill at 301 5th St in Windsor. Grab a seat near those historic beams, order a round of tacos, and tell them the NOCO Crew sent you.

Bare root season is still open — you've got about two more weeks before nurseries switch to containers and prices climb. This week's trio might be the most NOCO-appropriate plants in the whole series: alkaline-soil tolerant, frost-shrugging, drought-hardened, and productive for decades.

The Serviceberry (Saskatoon) · The Berry Colorado Has Always Grown
If you've hiked a dry Front Range canyon in early July and stopped to eat dark purple berries off a wild shrub — something sweet, slightly nutty, unlike anything else out there — that was serviceberry. Amelanchier alnifolia is genuinely native here, eaten and traded on this landscape for centuries. Cultivated varieties step it up dramatically: 10–30 lbs per plant, blueberry-meets-almond flavor, exceptional in pies. Hardy to Zone 2, self-fertile, drought-tolerant, completely at home in our alkaline soils. Look for Northline, Thiessen, or Smoky at bare root nurseries.

The Jostaberry · All the Flavor, None of the Fight
A deliberate cross between black currant and gooseberry that kept everything good from both parents and quietly left behind everything frustrating. Thornless canes — a genuine revelation if you've ever bled your way through a gooseberry harvest — jet-black berries with a rich, layered sweet-tart complexity, and yields of 10–20 lbs per bush. Hardy to -40°F, self-fertile, and highly resistant to the powdery mildew and leaf spot that plague berry crops in our variable Front Range springs. It simply does what it's supposed to do, season after season, without drama.

The Rugosa Rose · The Rose With a Second Life
Forget everything you think you know about high-maintenance roses. Rosa rugosa is hardy to Zone 2, thrives on neglect, spreads into an impenetrable hedge, and blooms fragrantly all summer. But the real reason it belongs in a food garden shows up in October: bright-red hips with vitamin C concentrations 20–40 times higher than oranges by weight. Britain organized national campaigns to harvest wild hips during WWII when citrus imports were cut off. Dry them for tea, simmer into syrup, make jam. A hedge that earns its place four times over: beautiful blooms, wildlife habitat, windbreak, and winter nutrition long after everything else has called it a season.

Last Call for Bare Root: Roughly two weeks left to get your bare root bushes in the ground! After late March, it's containers only, and prices climb.

Garden Connection: Your tomato and kale seedlings (going in trays next week) head outside in late April. A Rugosa Rose hedge along a fence line filters NoCo's relentless spring wind which is one of the biggest stressors for newly transplanted seedlings.

From Berthoud in the south to the Wyoming state line up north, Fort Morgan in the east to Estes out west, each week we will to pull together a list of the top events happening all over Northern Colorado.

Nunsense @ Union Colony Civic Center (Greeley) — various times — A hilarious musical about singing nuns and convent chaos. 👉 Holy comedy

Fuel of Loveland: Be Unshakable When All Eyes Are on You @ Casa Sagrada (Loveland) — 11am to 1pm — A leadership talk on confidence and public presence. 👉 Own the room

Intro to Sewing @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) 6:30pm 👉 Stitch something new

Underground Comedy Showcase: Vatos Locos Comedy w/ Ricky Ramos @ Stella's Pinball Arcade and Lounge (Greeley) at 8pm 👉 Get your giggle on

Spring Choral Showcase Concert @ Griffin Concert Hall, UCA (Fort Collins) at 7:30pm — Student performers take the stage in a live production. 👉 Support student theater

The Rattlecaps w/ Foreign Suns & The Chunderfins @ Surfside 7 (Fort Collins) — 8pm — A loud local lineup of gritty indie and garage rock bands. 👉 Catch the underground sound

Celebrate George MacDonald @ Macdonald Bookshop (Estes Park) — 5 to 6pm — A literary celebration of the famed fantasy author. 👉 Bookish delight

Childsplay Band @ Tavern at the American Legion Post 119 (Estes Park) — 5 to 8pm — Free live music with lively folk and rock covers. 👉 Tap your toes

Friday the 13th Walk-In Tattoo Event @ Driftwood Tatoo Studio (Estes Park) — all day — Flash tattoos and spooky fun for Friday the 13th. 👉 Get inked

Jason Hicks Acoustic @ Avant Garde Aleworks (Estes Park) — 5 to 8pm — Bluegrass-tinged acoustic music in a cozy taproom. 👉 Pick and grin

Winter Hike to Bierstadt Lake @ Estes Park Visitors Center (Estes Park) — 9:30am to 2:30pm — A guided winter hike with stunning alpine views. 👉 Hit the trail

Glow Bowling Night @ Sweetheart Lanes (Loveland) — 9:30pm — Black lights, music, and glowing bowling lanes. 👉 Roll into neon

Once Upon a Tune @ Grimm Brothers Brewhouse (Loveland) — 5 to 7pm — Live music and Celtic vibes ahead of St. Paddy’s celebrations. 👉 Raise a stein

Date Night Pottery @ The Artisan Shop & Studio (Fort Collins) — 6:30 to 8:30 — Couples sculpt pottery together in a guided class. 👉 Spin together

Chunky Blanket Hand-Knitting Workshop @ Fort Collins Studio (Fort Colins)— 6:30 to 8:30pm — Learn to knit a cozy blanket using jumbo yarn. 👉 Get cozy

National Geographic Live: Discovering the Galápagos @ Lincoln Center (Fort Collins) — evening — A stunning multimedia adventure exploring the famous islands. 👉 Explore the wild

G. Love @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — 8pm — Funk-driven rock from the Denver jam band. 👉 Catch the groove

Totally Riveting Jewelry Class @ Loveland Museum (Loveland) — 5pm — Master the art of cold-connections and metal riveting to craft custom jewelry. 👉 Put a ring on it\

Back to Black Grand Opening @ Back to Black (Fort Collins) — 5pm — Celebrate the arrival of this new local spot with music, drinks, and community vibes. 👉 Welcome the new kid

Hello, Dolly! @ Candlelight Dinner Playhouse (Johnstown) — 6pm — Enjoy a gourmet meal followed by the classic, high-energy Broadway musical. 👉 Put on your Sunday clothes

Space Monkeys From The Future @ Magic Rat (Fort Collins) — 8pm — A high-energy blast of cosmic funk and rock at the Elizabeth Hotel's chicest stage. 👉 Get funky

Blunts & Blondes @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — 8pm — Bass-heavy wobbles and heavy-hitting drops from this popular dubstep producer. 👉 Brace for bass

Concert Benefit for Joe & Betty Edwards @ American Legion Post 119 (Estes Park) — 3 to 7pm — Live music, spaghetti dinner, and auction supporting a local family. 👉 Give and groove

Succulent Design Workshop @ Estes Valley Community Center (Estes Park) — 10 to 11:30pm — Create your own decorative succulent planter. 👉 Plant something pretty

Guided Nature Walk with Restoration Ecologists @ High Plains Environmental Center (Loveland) — 9 to 10:30am — Learn about prairie ecosystems on a guided walk. 👉 Walk the wild

Hat Burning Workshop @ The Artisan Shop & Studio (Fort Collins) — 4:30 to 6:30pm — Decorate a western hat using wood-burning techniques. 👉 Craft some cowboy flair

Blarney on the Block @ Downtown Greeley (Greeley) — 2 to 6pm — A St. Patrick’s themed street party with music, beer, and fun. 👉 Get shamrocked

Foothills Winter Farmers Market @ Foothills Shopping Center (Fort Collins) — 10am to 2pm — Local produce, baked goods, and artisan goods. 👉 Shop fresh

Curator Tour: Hwaiteu Dei @ Global Village Museum (Fort Collins) — 3 to 4pm — A special museum tour exploring Korean cultural traditions. 👉 Travel the world

Guinea Pig Painting Fundraiser @ The Barn at Rigden Farms (Fort Collins) — noon & 3pm — Paint alongside adorable guinea pigs while supporting rescue animals. 👉 Cute and creative

Young & Dead @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — 8pm — A psychedelic tribute to the Grateful Dead. 👉 Ride the jam

Dinner Detective Murder Mystery @ Marriott (Fort Collins) — 6 to 9pm — A comedic interactive whodunit dinner show. 👉 Solve the crime

Sharin’ O’ the Green 5K starting in downtown Fort Collins and finishing at Odell Brewing(Fort Collins) — morning — A festive St. Patrick’s themed fun run. 👉 Run green

Cars & Coffee @ the NEW BG Automotive Location at 5900 S College Ave (Fort Collins) — 7 to 10am — A casual meetup for local gearheads to show off their rides and grab a brew. 👉 Rev your engines

Lucky Brew Race @ Kick off the Racing Season with us at Lucky Brew (Severance) — 8 to noon — A festive 5k run along Windsor Lake followed by celebratory pints at the finish. 👉 Run for the beer

Sober Safe Spot @ St. Paddy's Parade Old Town Square (Fort Collins) — 10am — A dedicated, family-friendly alcohol-free zone to enjoy the downtown parade. 👉 All the fun, none of the buzz

Dog Adoption Event @ Animal Friends Alliance (Fort Collins) — 11am to 2pm — Meet your new best friend at this weekend showcase of adoptable pups. 👉 Find your fido

Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl @ Various Venues (Fort Collins) — 4pm to midnight — The ultimate Old Town crawl featuring drink specials, covers, and a massive afterparty. 👉 Get your green on

Tipsy Terrariums @ The Artisan Shop & Studio (Windsor) — 10:30am to 12:30pm — Build a miniature desert landscape in a glass bowl while sipping local beverages. 👉 Plant and pour

Lineage: Celebrating Women in Music @ Block One (Lyons) — 7 to 10pm — An evening of performances and storytelling honoring the impact of female musicians. 👉 Hear her roar

Pi(e) Day Clay Crafts @ Greeley History Museum (Greeley) — 10:30am to 12:30pm — Celebrate 3.14 by sculpting your own miniature clay "pies" in this family-friendly workshop. 👉 Easy as pie

Collagraph Printmaking @ Loveland Museum (Loveland) — 10am to 3pm — Create textured printing plates using everyday materials in this hands-on art session. 👉 Make your mark

St. Paddy's Festival @ 3815 Harrison Ave (Wellington) — 1 to 4pm — A community celebration featuring live Irish dance, bagpipes, and local vendors. 👉 Get your jig on

St. Paddy’s Beer Mile-ish @ Avant Garde (Estes Park) — noon — A "casual" athletic endeavor involving laps and local brews in your finest green gear. 👉 Chug and lug

Denim and Diamonds Gala @ Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant (Fort Collins) — 6 to 10pm — Dust off your boots and bling for a night of dinner, dancing, and local fundraising. 👉 Country chic

Isaac Slade @ Armory (Fort Collins) — 8 — The former frontman of The Fray brings powerful vocals and piano-driven melodies to this intimate stage. 👉 Over my head

Beginner Line Dancing @ Tom Davis Saloon (Loveland) — 1:30 to 2:30pm — Learn classic country line dances in a relaxed setting. 👉 Boot scoot

Maria Keirns @ Tom Davis Saloon (Loveland) — 8pm — Live country music with honky-tonk flair. 👉 Two-step time

The Strumbellas @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — 8pm — Indie-folk anthems from the “Spirits” hitmakers. 👉 Feel the chorus

Jaerv & The OK Factor @ The Lincoln Center (Fort Collins) — 4:30pm — Nordic folk meets classical crossover. 👉 Hear something different

Paint a Pint @ Breckenridge Brewery (Fort Collins) — 12 to 5pm — Paint a custom beer glass while sipping craft brews. 👉 Cheers to creativity

Oscar Watch Party @ The Lyric (Fort Collins) — 4:30pm — Watch Hollywood’s biggest night with fellow film fans. 👉 Roll out the red carpet

Cheyenne Jackson Live @ Lincoln Center (Fort Collins) — 7pm — Broadway star performs songs and stories from stage and screen. 👉 Broadway vibes

San Leandro @ Chippers Lanes (Greeley) — 7:30pm — A night of indie-alternative vibes and catchy melodies at this stylish Old Town venue. 👉 Catch the groove

Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, & Patty Larkin @ The Armory (Fort Collins) — 7pm — Four legendary folk singer-songwriters share the stage for a powerhouse acoustic performance. 👉 Folk royalty

Free-to-Play Texas Hold'em @ Hacienda Azul Mexican Grill (Severace) — 4 to 7pm — Test your poker face in this low-stakes, high-fun tournament environment. 👉 All in

Guiltless Goodies: Irish Smashed Potato Chips @ Estes Valley Community Center (Estes Park) — 5:30 to 7:30 — A healthy cooking demo with Irish flair. 👉 Snack smarter

Issues on Tap @ Loveland Aleworks (Loveland) — 4:30 to 6pm — Casual civic discussion over craft beer. 👉 Talk it out