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Shane Swartz in the ring for the main event/last bout of the show for the first Knockout Cancer Boxing fundraiser in 2021 (Photographed by Casey O'Day Photography) May 30, 2025 | NORTHERN COLORADO’S WEEKLY LOCAL INDEPENDENT | Vol. 33, N. 7 SEE THE STORY: PAGES 12-13 EXPLORE OUR LATEST PROMOTION TODAY! HIKING • FISHING • CAMPING • CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR • KITCHEN • GIFTS • FARM & RANCH • HARDWARE • GARDEN FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1955 | LAFAYETTE | BROOMFIELD | LOVELAND | FORT COLLINS | JAXGOODS.com SCAN HERE Fight Cancer Knocking Out Cancer in the Ring and in LifePenstemon, commonly known as beardtongue. More specifically, this variety is Penstemon strictus or Rocky Mountain Penstemon, which is native to the western U.S., including Colorado. It’s known for its vibrant blue to purple tubular flowers, which attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. These flowers often bloom in late spring to early summer and are commonly found in open meadows, forest clearings, and post-fire recovery zones—like the one shown in this photo in Bellvue. (Photo by Blaine Howerton)May 30, 2025 week of © 2025 North Forty News New SCENE Weekly All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, incluiding photocopying or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the editor, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by the copyright law. For permission requests, write to the editor, addressed “Permissions”, at the address below. info@northfortynews.com NorthFortyNews.com The views expresses in this publication are those of the respective contributor and are not necessarily shared by the company or its staff.Everyone eats. It’s a simple truth that connects all of us—neighbors, ranchers, city dwellers, students, retirees, you name it. And in that truth, I’ve discovered something important: the work I’ve done for decades in journalism— telling stories, connecting people, amplifying voices— relates directly to something I’m doing now in a brand-new way. I recently started a new sales and marketing position with Passanante’s Home Food Service. While North Forty News remains a full-time passion and responsibility, it simply hasn’t paid the bills how I need it to, especially after eight years of managing it alongside other jobs. My last job at Bomgaars served me well, but life has a way of shifting priorities. My step-mom was in the hospital, and I was helping care for my dad. I needed something more flexible, personal, and aligned with my life in general. Passanante’s has been just that. Last week, I visited a cattle rancher and his wife in Nunn. They were looking for a six-month supply of pork and chicken—a tall order for people who raise meat themselves. But our quality spoke for itself. They saw the value. They said yes. I did that. That moment reminded me why I do what I do. Whether selling food or running a news outlet, it’s all about service—providing something meaningful that improves life. And now, with the unique opportunity I have through North Forty News, I can elevate this story further. So here’s what’s next. In the coming weeks, our Top Eats series will evolve into a new journey: The Publisher’s Plate. I’ll be sharing my personal experiences with high-quality, in-home meals, recipes, local food producers, and the stories of Northern Colorado families redefining how we eat at home. It’s not just food. It’s storytelling with flavor! Stay hungry, Northern Colorado. Blaine Howerton Publisher, North Forty News bhowerton@northfortynews.com PUBLISHER’S LETTER BY BLAINE HOWERTON Your support helps us provide coverage of Northern Colorado communities. Support North Forty News in the following ways: • Advertise - ads@northfortynews.com • Donate - northfortynews.com/donate-now • READ - northfortynews.com/this-week The Next Course(Photo from Shutterstock.com)Content Fort Collins Fort Collins, at the foothills of the Rockies, is Northern Colorado’s vibrant heart. Known for its historic Old Town, craft beer scene, and outdoor recreation, it blends urban energy with small-town charm. Home to Colorado State University, it’s a hub for innovation, culture, and community. SOGGY BOTTOM BEAUTIES: PLANTING FOR WET AREAS 8-9 USING CHATBOTS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE 10-11 KNOCKING OUT CANCER IN THE RING AND IN LIFE: FORT COLLINS BOXING EVENT SUPPORTS LOCAL CANCER FIGHTERS 12-13 NICK’S ITALIAN: WHERE OLD-SCHOOL CHARM MEETS MODERN FLAVOR IN FORT COLLINS 14-15 A TASTE OF HOME WITH PASSANANTE’S CHEESY GARLIC CHICKEN WRAPS 19 FORT COLLINS HOUSING ADVOCATE ALLEGES RETALIATION AND DUE PROCESS FAILURES BY COLORADO CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION 22 We Love your Photos! Send yours to photos@northfortynews.com. We will share them.Content Northern Colorado’s Weekend Forecast Sunshine, Storm Chances & Summer Teasers Friday kicks off with mostly sunny skies and a high around 82°F — but don’t let that fool you. By afternoon, we could see a few pop-up thunderstorms (30% chance). Winds shift northward, light but noticeable, and we’ll cool to a lovely 52°F overnight. (NOAA Forecast) Saturday looks like the real gem. Sunny, mild, and about 78°F with barely a breeze. We dip to another crisp 52°F that night — ideal for leaving the windows cracked open. Sunday, with a high of 84°F and sunshine leading the charge. It might try to storm again late in the day (20% chance). Evening lows hang around 56°F. Loveland Loveland blends creativity with small-town charm. It’s the Northern Colorado hub for Larimer County’s events. THE RANCH RECEIVES GRANT FOR EV CHARGING STATIONS, BOOSTING NORTHERN COLORADO’S CLEAN ENERGY GOALS 16 LOVELAND GEARS UP FOR WALK AND BIKE MONTH THIS JUNE 17 Greeley Greeley, a dynamic city in Northern Colorado, is rich in agricultural heritage and cultural diversity. WELD COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS URGE RESIDENTS TO MONITOR BLOOD PRESSURE 24 COMMUNITY ALERT: HELP FIND MISSING TEEN DESTINY LYNN-ROSE CALLEN 27 Wellington Wellington, a charming town located just north of Fort Collins, offers a close-knit community, scenic views of the Rocky Mountains, and a growing hub for local businesses and outdoor enthusiasts. NORTHERN COLORADO AGENCIES HELP DISRUPT GLOBAL DARKNET DRUG NETWORKS 23 WELLINGTON FIRE LOGS 110 CALLS IN APRIL, RESPONDS TO MULTIPLE MAJOR INCIDENTS 26NorthFortyNews.com Page: 8May 30, 2025 EDITORIAL: Tessie Walters | The Gardens on Spring Creek CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE. SOGGY BOTTOM BEAUTIES: PLANTING FOR WET AREAS In Colorado, a soggy garden bed might seem like a rare problem, but for gardeners dealing with high water tables, clay soils, or low-lying areas, overly wet conditions can be a challenge. Moisture-loving natives and their ornamental relatives that thrive with “wet feet” can transform soggy spots into lush, ecologically rich riparian zones. Here are some standout plants that perform beautifully with seasonal flooding, poor drainage, or consistently damp soil: THINLEAF ALDER (ALNUS INCANA SSP. TENUIFOLIA) Native to Colorado’s riparian areas, thinleaf alder thrives in saturated soil. These fast-growing trees not only tolerate wet roots but also improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen. Their roots help stabilize stream banks and reduce erosion, while their catkins provide winter interest and wildlife habitat. They also have adorable strobili (tiny pollen cones) that add winter interest. WESTERN RIVER BIRCH (BETULA OCCIDENTALIS) Also known as water birch, this Colorado native shrub or small tree is well-adapted to streambanks, seeps, and other consistently moist sites. Water birch typically grows 15–30 feet White Flowers Of Aronia Melanocarpa Shrub (Photo from shutterstock.com)NorthFortyNews.comPage: 9May 30, 2025 Six stunning sculptures. One inspiring journey through nature, friendship, and healing. Peace Walking is organized by Denver Botanic Gardens. may 2 - aug . 17 2025 The Gardens on Spring Creek | 2145 Centre Ave, Fort Collins, CO | 970.416.2486 | fcgov.com/gardens tall and is multi-stemmed, with attractive reddish- brown bark that peels slightly and adds winter interest. Its rounded leaves turn yellow in fall, and its dense branching provides excellent cover and nesting habitat for birds. Water birch is ideal for stabilizing slopes or softening the edges of a rain garden. Its deep roots can tolerate periodic flooding. Though slower growing than species native to the Eastern US, it brings a wilder, more regional character to wetland designs. RED-TWIG DOGWOOD (CORNUS SERICEA) This colorful native shrub is a favorite for wet spots. It spreads easily through underground rhizomes, making it ideal for erosion control. In spring, red-twig dogwood produces white flower clusters, followed by berries for birds, and vivid red stems that brighten the winter landscape. CHOKEBERRY (ARONIA MELANOCARPA) Chokeberry tolerates both wet and dry soil. Its spring flowers, summer berries, and brilliant red fall color make it a striking shrub for rain gardens and low-lying areas. Though the berries are tart for people, birds love them. VIRGIN’S BOWER (CLEMATIS LIGUSTICIFOLIA) This native vine grows vigorously in wet soils, producing clouds of small, fragrant white flowers in late summer. It thrives along fences, trellises, and arbors, or even across the ground, and its feathery seed heads add charm through fall and winter. ROCKY MOUNTAIN IRIS (IRIS MISSOURIENSIS) This native iris thrives in moist meadows and open woods. It offers striking purple-blue flowers in late spring and adapts well to garden settings with consistently moist soil. YELLOW MARSH MARIGOLD- COWSLIP (CALTHA PALUSTRIS) Bright yellow flowers in early spring make marsh marigold a cheerful addition to wet soils. Although more common in cooler mountain regions, it can thrive in shaded, moist garden spots where other perennials may struggle. SPIDERWORT (TRADESCANTIA OCCIDENTALIS) Western spiderwort adds color and texture to damp soils with its arching stems and purple-blue flowers. It blooms throughout early summer and is an excellent pollinator plant for sunny, moisture- retentive areas. By choosing the right moisture-tolerant plants, Colorado gardeners can turn wet, difficult areas into stunning garden features filled with color, texture, and ecological value. Instead of avoiding those soggy spots, plant for them!Next >