Hey there — summer’s flying by, isn’t it? I put this issue together thinking about all my favorite things about NOCO: good food, local projects improving our community, and the creative folks who make this place feel special.

Glad you’re here. Now grab a coffee, and let’s dig in!

– Megan

I’ll be honest: I walked into Wild Pastures Burger Co. expecting a gimmick. What I got instead was a burger that tasted like better beef, because it is. The first part of their mission statement is “To be the healthiest fast casual burger chain in the world with the highest quality ingredients in every single item we serve.” They started as a small spot in Boulder, and this spring they brought this mission to Timnath, tucked away at 5451 E Harmony Rd.

Everything on the menu lives up to the promise. The beef is 100% grass-fed, fries sizzle in tallow, and their milkshakes have no refined sugar. As someone who doesn’t partake in sugar for the most part, my milkshake was perfect, thick, cold, and nostalgic. There’s local beer and wine too, if that’s your thing.

The road here wasn’t easy — the place closed for a bit not long after opening before finding its stride. But now, doors are open again, and truly, it’s worth the drive: Open Daily 11am-8pm

Downtown Loveland’s $24.5 million transformation of 4th Street has been carving through five blocks from Garfield to Washington since last February. Now, the east end finally looks (almost) complete instead of like a construction site. The first two blocks, from Washington to Lincoln, finished months back and were celebrated in November with the Festival of Lights. The next block, Lincoln to Railroad, reopened in March with its own block party.

Work has since moved west. This spring brought fresh landscaping, irrigation, and catenary lights to the finished blocks, while the last stretch toward Garfield endures summer construction. The city hopes to wrap up all work by early fall, though weather could nudge the finish line.

Meanwhile, Downtown Loveland is keeping things lively — upload a receipt from any downtown shop for a shot at a weekly $100 gift card.

Keep up with the progress on the Loveland Heart Improvement Plan site.

Linda Dzwigalski-Long grew up far from any glassblowing studio. In southeast Michigan, a childhood trip to Houghton Lake changed everything — watching a flameworker at the Treasure Chest Gift Shop transform glass into magic. That spark would stay quiet for decades before it finally caught fire.

In the meantime, she built a career in food manufacturing, moved across the US and Canada more times than she can count, and eventually landed in Masonville, Colorado, to be with her husband, Gary. On a whim, she took a glassblowing class at the local community college and that spark lit again. Her first pieces were, by her own admission, pretty rough. But ten years and several generous mentors later, her work glows in Independence Gallery in Loveland and the Aspen & Evergreen Gallery in Estes Park.

Today, her glasswork echoes the world around her — the rush of a creek, the shimmer of a lake, the blaze of a foothills sunset. At Independence Gallery, you’ll find her zebra-striped vases and hearts, helping raise funds for NET research and the 65 Roses cystic fibrosis campaign. She also welcomes commissions through the gallery or directly at (970) 663-1864.

Every contribution keeps us out in the field, digging into local history, and showing up for the towns we cover. We're grateful for every bit of support. Thanks for being part of this.

— Megan & David

👉 MAKE A CONTRIBUTION

From Berthoud to the Wyoming state line, Fort Morgan to Estes, each week we pull together a list of the top events happening all over Northern Colorado.

If you have an event you’d like to add, reply to this email and let us know!

Larimer County Fair @ The Ranch (Loveland) — Fri 4 to 10pm, Sat–Sun 10am to 10pm, Mon–Tue 4 to 10pm — The one everything else this weekend is scheduled around. Opening night Friday, full days Saturday and Sunday, then two more evenings into the week. 👉 Walk the midway

Laugh Out Loveland Comedy Festival @ 201 E 4th St (Loveland) — Fri–Sun, various times — Three days of comedy downtown. Individual shows listed under their days below. 👉 Work the room

America 250 | Colorado 150 Celebration @ Bittersweet Park (Greeley) — Fri–Sun, field open all day; ceremony Saturday 10am — A three-day flag display in the park, with the formal ceremony Saturday morning. 👉 Stand in the field

Connected by the Canyon: 50 Years Since the Big Thompson Flood @ Loveland Museum (Loveland) — 11am to 7pm — Fifty years ago tonight, the canyon filled. The museum's exhibit on the flood, open on the anniversary itself. 👉 Remember the water

Euchre Night @ Breckenridge Brewery (Fort Collins) — 7 to 9pm — Bowers, tricks, and a partner you may or may not want. 👉 Go it alone

New Sheriff In Town @ Playcrafter Kids Theater (Fort Collins) — 4pm — Youth theater on Yorktown Ave. 👉 Round up the posse

JD & The Moonrakers @ The Sand Bar at Pelican Lakes (Windsor) — 6 to 9pm — Live music on the water at Pelican Lakes. 👉 Take it lakeside

The Ranch Event Lawn Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting @ The Ranch Events Complex (Loveland) — 5 to 6pm — The new event lawn opens on the same evening the fair does. 👉 Break in the grass

Music at the Mothership: Foreign Suns @ New Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins) — 5 to 7pm — Early enough to catch something else after. 👉 Head to the Mothership

An Evening in Paris @ Bas Bleu Theatre Company (Fort Collins) — 6pm — Venue and end time need confirming, see flags. 👉 Take the Paris detour

Mike Finders Duo @ City Star Brewing (Berthoud) — 6 to 8:30pm 👉 Pull up a stool

Summer Farmers Market @ Foothills, 215 E Foothills Parkway (Fort Collins) — 6 to 8pm — Evening market on the lawn, with Max Mackey & Friends playing the same hours. 👉 Shop after work

Music on the Lawn: Max Mackey & Friends @ Foothills, 215 E Foothills Parkway (Fort Collins) — 6 to 8pm 👉 Bring a blanket

Dot Painting 101 @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — 6:30 to 8:30pm — One of four workshops the Artisan Shop is running this weekend. 👉 Connect the dots

Special Concert: Collin Rice w/ Anthony Arras @ Wolverine Farm Publick House (Fort Collins) — 6:30 to 8:30pm 👉 Sit close to the front

Live Music with Justin Fountain @ MeadKrieger Meadery (Loveland) — 6:30 to 8:30pm 👉 Sip slow, sing along

School of Rock Regional House Band @ The Ranch (Loveland) — 6:30pm — Fair grounds, teenage volume. 👉 Let them rip

Songwriter in the Round: Liz Barnez, Caroline Aiken and Liz Melendez @ Avogadro's Number (Fort Collins) — 7 to 9pm — Three songwriters trading songs one at a time, no band to hide behind. 👉 Take a seat in the circle

Happy Campers @ Studio Vino (Loveland) — 7 to 9pm — First of three Studio Vino sessions across the weekend. 👉 Pitch a tent, pour a glass

Flashback Friday: Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure @ Rialto Theater (Loveland) — 7pm — The 1989 time-travel comedy on the big screen in a restored downtown house. 👉 Be excellent to each other

Fort Collins' 3rd Improv Fest @ The Lyric (Fort Collins) — 7 to 10pm — Third year running. 👉 Say yes, and

Live Music @ Chippers Lanes (Greeley) — 7:30 to 10pm — Performer not named in the source, see flags. 👉 Music between the lanes

A Very Jerry Birthday @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — 8pm — Night one of a two-night Jerry Garcia tribute. He was born on August 1. 👉 Ripple into the weekend

Kyle Smith w/ Smoke Signals @ Sound Bar (Fort Collins) — 8pm — Presented by the Mishawaka, down off the mountain for the night. 👉 Take it downtown

The Motet with special guest TAUK @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre (Bellvue) — 8pm — Funk on the Poudre, thirty miles up the canyon. Leave early. 👉 Drive the canyon

Drag Bingo with Krisa Gonna @ The Love Shack – Craft Mocktails (Loveland) — 8 to 9:30pm — 18 and over. 👉 Daub with flair

Ween Tribute Fundraiser w/ Jammy Pac and The Grobes @ Chippers Lanes (Fort Collins) — 8:30 to 10:30pm — A Ween tribute doubling as a fundraiser, which is a sentence that could only happen here. 👉 Push th' little daisies

Colorado Day: Free Entry at Colorado State Parks (statewide) — all day — Colorado turns 150 and the parks drop admission for the day. Boyd Lake, Lory, and Barr Lake are all inside a short drive. 👉 Walk in free

Greeley Farmers' Market @ Lincoln Park (Greeley) — 8am to noon — North of the park on 7th Street. 👉 Fill the tote

Farmers Market @ Boardwalk Community Park (Windsor) — 8am to 12:30pm — Produce with live music from Nick Critchlow. 👉 Shop to a soundtrack

Larimer County Farmers' Market @ 200 W Oak St (Fort Collins) — 9am to 1pm — The Oak Street one, run through CSU Extension. 👉 Take Oak Street slow

Yoga in City Park @ City Park (Fort Collins) — 9 to 10am — Outdoors, so weather calls it. 👉 Roll out the mat

Public Evaluation Day @ CSU Annual Flower Trial Garden (Fort Collins) — 9am to noon — The public gets to score the test beds. Researchers actually use the results. 👉 Rate the roses

The Berthoud Market @ 1040 35th St SW (Berthoud) — 9am to 1pm — 👉 Browse the stalls

Scratch & Ride Horseback Experience @ Tattered Saddle (Livermore) — 10 to 11:30am — Groom the horse first, then ride it. North county, worth the drive up 287. 👉 Earn your saddle

Macrame Class @ High Hops Brewery (Windsor) — 10:30am — Knots and a pint. 👉 Tie one on

Drag Brunch @ The Lyric (Fort Collins) — 11am 👉 Brunch with a bang

Centennial Village Museum Centennial Celebration @ Centennial Village Museum (Greeley) — noon to 6pm — The museum turns fifty on Colorado's 150th. Special event admission applies. 👉 Wish it a happy 50th

Beginner Crochet Basics @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — noon to 1pm 👉 Hook a beginner

Book Signing with Kelly K. Branyik @ Old Firehouse Books (Fort Collins) — 1 to 2pm 👉 Bring your copy

Mosaic Lamp Workshop @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — 1:30 to 3:30pm — Build a lamp out of broken pieces. 👉 Make light of it

Riichi Mahjong for Beginners @ Stodgy Brewing (Fort Collins) — 2 to 5pm — The Japanese rule set, taught from scratch by the local group. 👉 Draw your first tile

Spore Swap & Chat @ Orion's Apothecary & Mushrooms (Loveland) — 2 to 4pm — Growers trading cultures and notes. Same shop running Sunday's inoculation class, if you get hooked. 👉 Swap your spores

Laugh Out Loveland Comedy Festival: Debate n' Debunk @ The Love Shack – Craft Mocktails (Loveland) — 3:30 to 5pm — 21 and over, adult content. 👉 Argue for sport

Art Exhibit Exploring Sustainability and Community @ Center for Creativity (Fort Collins) — 3:30 to 5:30pm 👉 See what got saved

W.H. Band @ Big Fork (Loveland) — 5 to 8pm 👉 Dinner with a band

Steve Gillespie @ The Comedy Fort (Fort Collins) — 6pm and 8pm — Two sets, one night. 👉 Pick your seating

Hat Burning Workshop @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — 6:30 to 8:30pm — Branding your own hat, on purpose. 👉 Burn it in

Evening of Swing: Free Swing Dancing Lessons @ Old Town Churn Ice Cream (Fort Collins) — 6:30 to 9pm — Lessons at no cost, no partner required. 👉 Learn the triple step

Blues Dogs @ Avogadro's Number (Fort Collins) — 7 to 9pm 👉 Let the dogs howl

Date Night: A Night to Remember @ Studio Vino (Loveland) — 7 to 9pm 👉 Make it a night

Anthony Green with Geoff Rickly + Keith Goodwin @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — 7:30pm — The Circa Survive frontman and the Thursday frontman on one bill. 👉 Sing it hoarse

The Infamous Stringdusters @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre (Bellvue) — 8pm — Bluegrass on the river, second canyon show in two nights. 👉 Pick up the canyon

Live Music with The Syrup @ Gilded Goat Brewing – Old Town (Fort Collins) — 8 to 9pm 👉 Pour it on thick

LoCo Country @ The Boot Grill (Loveland) — 8pm 👉 Two-step it

Six Demon Bag / Vertigo / Mapcap, hosted by Mars Birch @ Chippers Lanes (Fort Collins) — 8 to 11pm — Live on the Lanes. Three bands, rented shoes optional. 👉 Book a lane, catch a set

Chase Harter @ Sky Bear Brewery and Pub (Loveland) — 8:30pm 👉 Follow the bear

Loveland Farmers Market @ Fairgrounds Park (Loveland) — 9am to 1pm 👉 Sunday, sorted

Charcuterie Picnic Horseback Ride @ Tattered Saddle (Livermore) — noon to 1:30pm — Ride out, eat well, ride back. 👉 Pack the saddlebags

Guided Wine Tasting @ Sweet Heart Winery & Event Center (Loveland) — 3 to 6pm — Multiple time slots on the books. 👉 Swirl and stay

Mushroom Growing with Inoculation @ Orion's Apothecary & Mushrooms (Loveland) — 3 to 4pm — Grow kit and liquid culture included, so you leave with something alive. 👉 Take home a colony

Summer Carnival @ Studio Vino (Loveland) — 3 to 5pm 👉 Step right up

New Material Night @ The Comedy Fort (Fort Collins) — 7pm — Untested jokes, live. Some will not work, which is the point. 👉 Watch it get built

Pedersen Toyota's PRCA Rodeo @ Blue Arena, The Ranch (Loveland) — 7pm, doors 6pm, running Sunday through Tuesday — Seven rodeo events, award-winning bullfighters each night, and Mutton Bustin' for the kids who don't know better yet. 👉 Hang on for eight

Mighty Mystic w/ Smoke Signals @ Chippers Lanes (Fort Collins) — 8:30 to 10:30pm — Reggae to close the weekend. 👉 Ease into Monday

Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz @ The Tavern at St. Michael's Square (Greeley) — 7 to 9pm — Weekly, and the regulars are good. Come with a full table. 👉 Pool your useless knowledge

Pedersen Toyota's PRCA Rodeo @ Blue Arena, The Ranch (Loveland) — 7pm, doors 6pm, running Sunday through Tuesday — Seven rodeo events, award-winning bullfighters each night, and Mutton Bustin' for the kids who don't know better yet. 👉 Hang on for eight