Happy Friday, Longmont! Today marks the 20th anniversary of the day legendary wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin died. Since his death, Irwin’s influence only continues to grow, especially as his kids, Bindi and Robert, carry on — and bolster — the legacy he pioneered. Not to mention, both still had time left over to win Dancing with the Stars. As we go about our Friday, be sure to pour one out for the Crocodile Hunter and one of God’s great gifts.

A note for this Monday: In observance of Labor Day, there will be no newsletter sent on Monday. We’ll be back in action on Wednesday.

Today — A local pilot is preparing for an elite jet race, Skyline High School has a new football stadium, and Longmont's latest pizzeria announces an opening date.

Let’s dive in.

Flying planes is a risk. Racing planes while just 50 feet above the ground in the fastest, most elite race in the world is a little riskier.

In less than two weeks, Longmont resident Tom Cruise Matt Menza will be in Roswell, New Mexico competing with some of the fastest planes and pilots in the world at the National Championship Air Races.

Billed as “The fastest show on Earth,” the competition is the gold standard for aircraft racing in the world. The races involve up to eight planes flying side by side, as low as 50 feet from the ground and as high as 250 feet, at speeds up to 500 miles per hour, flying laps around a course marked by 50-foot-high pylons.

It’s not easy.

Or safe. Most recently, two pilots died in 2023 when their planes collided in mid-air. Before that, a crash in 2011 killed a pilot, ten spectators, and injured more than 70.

But, Menza knows what he’s doing:

Though Menza is a veteran in the cockpit, once he arrives in Roswell, he’ll be a rookie.

“It’s exciting,” Menza said. “This is bringing me back down to something new that I can learn…We fly low and fast in the military but we’re not doing it at 50 feet around pylons where we have to manage five other airplanes around us in close proximity. Little nervous about it.”

Price of a passion:

But, flying in these races requires more than courage. You need money.

If you’d like to support the Menza family, individuals can check out their GoFundMe where you can donate and learn more information. Businesses interested in sponsoring Matt can reach out directly to Tara Menza.

Menza is the first person from Longmont and Boulder County to compete in the race. He’ll be flying his L-39C Albatros. The air races take place September 16-20. You can tune in for the live coverage of the races on Facebook Live, YouTube and on airrace.org.

Longmont releases bodycam footage from deadly shooting: Yesterday, Longmont Public Safety released video footage of the officer-involved shooting that left 20-year-old Dariss Yearby dead. On August 10, several Longmont police officers responded to a house on Bluebird Drive where Yearby had taken a woman hostage. Officers found Yearby holding a woman by her neck while pointing his right hand — which was concealed by a bag — at the woman’s head. Yearby told officers he had a gun and, after refusing orders to drop his weapon and let the woman go, one officer fired a single shot at Yearby, who eventually died. No guns were found. The officer was placed on administrative leave, per policy. No announcement has yet been made regarding any potential wrongdoing by the officer.

Bricks on Main to open new location: Bricks on Main is no longer just on Main. The downtown souvenir shop is opening a new location inside Parkway Food Hall. A grand opening will take place this Monday from 4 - 7 p.m. where visitors can get free face paintings, snacks, and enter drawings for gift cards. Presumably, you don’t plan to spend $100 at this event but if you do, Parkway will give you a coupon for a free drink.

Slice House announces opening date: The newest pizzeria to land in Longmont will open its doors next Saturday, September 12. Slice House by Tony Gemignani has dozens of locations across the United States, and the Longmont site is the third to crop up in Colorado. Boulder and Loveland are home to the other two. Slice House is located at 725 Harvest Moon Dr. next to Costco.

The lights are shining bright on Skyline football’s new digs.

Last Friday, the Skyline High School football team cut the ribbon on a long-awaited football stadium. The upgrade was desperately overdue for a team that had largely been forced to host games off campus at Longmont High School’s Everly-Montgomery Field.

Everly-Montgomery Field has long been shared not only by Longmont and Skyline, but Silver Creek and Niwot High Schools as well. St Vrain Valley School District has only recently taken concrete steps to give each school their own facilities, beginning with the installation of lighting at Niwot, Silver Creek and Skyline in 2020.

The new stadium includes:

Skyline has had a rocky start to its football season. Colorado Preps ranked the Falcons 10th in 3A Colorado at the beginning of the season, but they’ve already lost their first two games. SHS aims to bounce back when they take on Longmont at their brand new stadium.

Check out a timelapse of the SHS stadium construction.

Zooming out:

Silver Creek will soon celebrate a stadium of their own. Next Thursday, the school will host a ribbon-cutting marking the completion of their football stadium.

Colorado Pizza Festival: The long-awaited inaugural Colorado Pizza Festival has nearly arrived. Tomorrow afternoon, more than 20 of the best pizzerias Colorado has to offer will be in Longmont to offer up slices to foodies from across the state. General admission tickets are about $20 (although that doesn’t include any food, you’ll still have to buy the pizza you want), however, kids 12 and under get in for free. You can also buy a Golden Ticket which costs $60 but includes all the pizza you can eat. Visitors can also expect live music all day, kids’ activities, and local beer & wine. In recent years, Longmont has quietly become a rising player in the Colorado pizza world.

Chile Roast Fest: If pizza isn’t your speed, but green chiles hit your sweet spot, head to the annual Chile Roast Fest at Left Hand Brewery’s The Beer Garden. The free event offers live music, a specially brewed chile beer, and a variety of freshly roasted green chiles available for purchase. All proceeds go toward scholarships for first-generation students at Front Range Community College.

Longmont Home Show: Head to the Boulder County Fairgrounds this weekend for the return of the Longmont Home Show. The free event offers demonstrations, expert advice, and exclusive show-only offers. It takes place today through Sunday, learn more here.