It's Greening Up Out There
Photo by Nancy Torpey
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Monday, Apr. 28th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- 8AM - Municipal Court Criminal Arraignments
- 10:15-10:45AM - Let's Dance - Registration Required
- 12-12:30PM - Mondays with the Mayor
- 2-3PM - Virtual: Active Minds Monday
- 3-7PM - Finals Relief
- 5-6PM - Bell Middle School PTA Meeting
- 5:30PM - Board Game & Euchre Night
- 5:30-7:30PM - The Fundamental Principles of Art
- 6-9PM - Teach Me to Play! Mondays
- 6:30PM - Movement Monday Running Club
- 6:30-8:30PM - 90's Trivia @ The Golden Mill
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
What’s in bloom along Golden’s Trails? Some Weeds!
Figure 1. Left: Inflorescence showing small yellow flowers and flying saucer seed pods of European madwort. Center: European madwort — Alyssum simplex Rudolphi — and crossflower — Chorispora tenella (Pall.) DC. — growing together at New Loveland Mine Park. Upper Right: Four petals of crossflower in the shape of an X (©Max Lichter CC BY-SA). Lower Right, Inflorescence of crossflower showing thorn-shaped seed pods.
By Tom Schweich
I was walking through New Loveland Mine Park on Saturday morning and noticed two of our common weeds putting on a nice floral display. There are patches of small yellow flowers mixed in with patches of light magenta flowers.
Both plants are small annual weeds in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). The little yellow flowers have several common names, typically “Field Alison” or “European Madwort” and a scientific name of Alyssum simplex Rudolphi. This plant has small flying saucer-shaped seed pods that usually hold only one seed, hence the simplex in its scientific name.
The source of the common name of “Field Alison” is unclear. However, the common name "European Madwort" for Alyssum simplex refers to the plant's perceived ability to cure rabies, or madness. The Greek word "alyssa" means "without madness," suggesting the plant's use in treating madness-related conditions like rabies.
European madwort is native to southern Europe and as far east as Xinjiang (northwest China).
“Sweet alyssum” that we grow in our gardens is in a different genus — Lobularia maritima (L.)Desv. — and has many horticultural varieties with yellow, white, purple, or pink flowers.
The magenta flowers in the photo are those of “Crossflower” — Chorispora tenella (Pall.) DC. — referring to the very distinct X formed by the four petals of the flower. The seed pods are entirely different from the previous plant. They are long and skinny with a point at the end, almost looking like a thorn.
Crossflower is native to southeast and eastern Europe to China. It was first described by Peter Simon Pallas, who was a German explorer, botanist, zoologist, and taxonomist, working primarily in the Russian Empire between 1767 and 1810. Pallas wrote that he found it “… in the Caspian [Sea] desert in steep and nitrous places …” You probably have seen TikTok or other videos of Pallas Cats that bear his name as well as several other animals from eastern Russia. Pallas is also the person who applied the first valid scientific name to Ericameria nauseosa, our rubber rabbitbrush, though I prefer to use its first common name “Goldy-Locks” that was given to it by Thomas Nuttall.
References
Wikipedia contributors, "Caspian lowland desert," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_lowland_desert (accessed April 27, 2025).
Wikipedia contributors, "Pallas's cat," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallas%27s_cat (accessed April 27, 2025).
Wikipedia contributors, "Peter Simon Pallas," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Simon_Pallas (accessed April 27, 2025).
2-3PM Virtual: Active Minds Monday
At Jefferson County Public Library, we foster continuous learning and connections. Keep your minds engaged every Monday! Be sure to explore our website for additional weekly event options, including call-ins and livestreams.
Today’s theme: Ragtime & the Music of Scott Joplin
Join Active Minds for a musical journey into the world of Ragtime and Scott Joplin. We will examine its origins in African American traditions, emergence among Tin Pan Alley tunes, and surge in popularity in the early 20th century. We will also explore some of Joplin’s most significant works, from piano rags to other progressive compositions as he paved the way as one of the most successful African American composers of his day.
Save your spot for this Zoom program.
When:
2-3PM on Monday, Apr. 28th
3-7PM Finals Relief @ The Library
Get ready for exams by recharging your battery at the library! Drop in for a cozy study space, refreshments, and stress relief activities. All students are welcome!
Golden Library
1019 10th Street (map)
6:30-8:30PM 90's Trivia @ The Golden Mill
Sponsored by Deep Eddy Vodka
Win prizes!
More information
Location:
Golden Mill
1012 Ford Street (Map)
When:
6:30-8:30PM on Monday, Apr. 28th
Golden History: Old Chemistry and Hill Hall
“Old Chemistry Building”
Click to enlarge
This was the first building constructed on the present School of Mines campus. The original section (on the left) was built in 1879. New sections were added in 1882 (middle) and 1890 (right-hand end). It was demolished in 1956. (Source: Rocky Mountains to the World: A History of the Colorado School of Mines by Wilton Eckley)
The building that replaced it opened in 1958. It was called “the Metallurgy Building” for several years, until it was officially named “Nathaniel P. Hill Hall” in 1964. Hill (1832-1900) was a founder of the smelting industry in Colorado. He served on the original Board of Trustees for the School of Mines, spent six years in Washington D.C. as a Senator from Colorado, and in later years taught classes at the School of Mines. (Sources: Colorado Transcript and National Mining Hall of Fame website)
Weather
Overnight: A slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday: A chance of rain showers before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 62, with temperatures falling to around 60 in the afternoon. West northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind 2 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 39°F
Tuesday: Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 60°F
Tuesday Night: Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy, 43°F
Wednesday: Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers, 68°F
Wednesday Night: Showers And Thunderstorms, 42°F
Thursday: Rain Showers Likely, 55°F
Thursday Night: Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy, 41°F
Friday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers, 68°F
Friday Night: Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy, 47°F
Saturday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers, 72°F
Saturday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 49°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers, 73°F
Supporters
Many thanks to the people and organizations who support What’s Happening in Golden? If you would like to support local news, please CLICK HERE!
Sponsors:
($100/month and up)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Solar, Foothills Art Center, Golden City Brewery, Golden Cultural Alliance, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Miners Saloon, Golden Hayride Outpost, Unite Fitness, Joy Brandt, Tom Reiley, Michael Mason, and the Colorado Railroad Museum
Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $550/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Goozell Yogurt & Coffee Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Beth Bidwell, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Mary & Don Parker, Saré Merrigan, The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, and Vic DeMaria
Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $250/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, Marjorie Sloan, Chris and Joyce Davell, Rick Flint, Forrest Jones, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer, Bud Rockhill, Steve Enger, Kristie Brice & Mike Schwartz, The Golden Hotel, and Kurt & Janet Siegfried
Members:
($10-24.99/month or $110/yr)
Brad Miller & Julie Bartos, Holly Thomas, Jim and LouAnne Dale, Ann Pattison, Thomas Hoffman, Carol Abel, Brian Quarnstrom, Sandra Curran, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Kathy Smith, Karen Smith, Carlos & Nancy Bernal, Robert Storrs, Michele Sannes, Elaine Marolla, Dixie Termin & Ron Miller, E Tom Hughes, Crystal M Culbert, Patrick A. Madison, Alice Madison & Jim Kalivas, Deb Goeldner, Christopher Ball, 6th Chair Home Services, Dot & Eric Brownson, Rosemary Coffman, Emeline Paulson, Sandy Schneider, Mark and Cathy Pattridge, Cheryl G Leidich, Jen Rutter, Frani R Bickart, Jennings and Litz, Bill Sedgeley, Nancy Hughes, Justin L Wade, Kathi Eggers, Traci Case, Donna Owen, Leslie D Lutz, Karen Oxman, Catherine Skokan, Ross Fraser & KC Gilliland, Lynne Haigh, Elizabeth Hilliard, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, Kathy Hirons & Jack Markin, Jess & Anthony Monasterio, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, Heather Duncan, Lee Ann & Pete Horneck, Carol Cameron, Cheryl Williamson, San Daugherty, Jim Garner, John and Carol McEncroe, the Golden Welcome Center, the Golden Transcript, Koshare Eagle, Ken and Colleen Krantz, Traci Neuman Lacey, Jo Barber, Jamie Cookinham, Kermit Shields, Meridee Cecil, Vicki Olson, Colleen & Michael Ramey, Nancy & Pete Torpey, Jax Baker, Simon Maybury, Rose McLaughlin, Cameron Chambers, Joyce Gravina, Patrick Klein, Barb Robie, and Mary Rains
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Mel Perkins, Bob Hamilton, Kim Linton
