Cranes and Towers and Stars
Photo by Linda Cobb
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Monday, Dec. 30th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- 10:15-10:45AM - Let's Dance - Registration Required
- 11AM-12PM - Kids Cook with Sticky Fingers
- 12-12:30PM - Mondays with the Mayor
- 12:30-1:30PM - Teens Cook with Sticky Fingers
- 2-3PM - Virtual: Active Minds Monday
- 5:30PM - Board Game & Euchre Night
- 6-9PM - Teach Me to Play! Mondays
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
Where are the City of Golden Open Spaces? Cottonwood Natural Area
Top Left: Chinese Desert-Thorn (Lycium chinense Mill.) on the Welch Ditch. Top Right: Cottonwood Natural Area looking toward the golf course. Bottom Left: Cottonwood Natural Area looking toward the north. Bottom Right: the stream of Kinney Run in Cottonwood Natural Area.
By Tom Schweich
The Cottonwood Natural Area was dedicated to the city for “… public open space and drainage …” by the Harmony Village Plat, filed December 5, 1995. The Harmony Village plat created both Harmony Village and the adjacent Cottonwood homes. Each of those neighborhoods have their own private open space in addition to Cottonwood Natural Area that is public open space.
Tucked between Golden High School, Fossil Trace Golf Course, and surrounding neighborhoods, Cottonwood Natural Area feels like a hidden gem. While landlocked and lacking convenient public access, the area serves as a quiet refuge. Remarkably, when you combine the public and private open spaces with a golf course surge pond, you end up with about 6½ acres of natural land nestled amidst urban development—a surprising patchwork of greenery in an otherwise busy setting.
Cottonwood Natural Area is crossed on the northwest side by both the Welch Ditch and Kinney Run, so there is probably perennial water in the natural area to attract wildlife.
To be sure, Cottonwood Natural Area is quite weedy, with some listed noxious weeds, like White Top (Lepidium draba L.) and Scotch Cottonthistle (Onopordum acanthium L.). There is also Chinese Desert-Thorn (Lycium chinense Mill.), one of several species sometimes called “goji berry.” Like some of its relatives, Chinese Desert-Thorn has the potential to be invasive.
On the other hand, there are still quite a few native plants, such as my favorite “Goldy Locks,” though the rest of the world calls it rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa var. graveolens). There are, of course, established cottonwood trees (Populus deltoides Marshall), with hawthorns (Crataegus sp.), coyote willows (Salix exigua Nutt.), and more.
Meadow vole tunnels crisscross the vegetation, hinting at a small mammal population that probably also includes mice, rabbits, raccoons, and the like. It's easy to imagine deer and elk wandering through, and very likely a predator or two in the brush or up in the trees.
With its mix of established trees, open terrain, and diverse flora and fauna, this little pocket of open space remains an unexpected yet valuable retreat amidst Golden's urban landscape.
Monthly Appeal
Golden Images from December, 2024
Thank you to everyone who supported GoldenToday during December.
Please consider supporting January's news with a one time, monthly, or annual contribution. You can be listed among our supporters or remain anonymous, but in any case, please Support Local News!
Buffalo Bill Museum Gift Shop Closing
The gift shop at the Buffalo Bill Museum & Gravesite will be closing tomorrow (New Years Eve), and everything is 50% off.
The shop has been occupying the 100-year-old original building, and the Denver Mountain Parks, which owns the building, needs to do some major restoration work on the structure, the plumbing, the wiring, etc. Once the building is up to code, they plan to reevaluate the use of the the space. The museum may expand into some of the space. They will likely replace the shop with a more traditional museum store.
The Museum will remain open with its usual hours, Tuesday-Sunday, 10AM-5PM.
11AM-12PM Kids Cook with Sticky Fingers @ The Library
There’s always something fun happening at the library when school is out!
Join Sticky Fingers Cooking for a cooking class that will inspire a love of healthy cooking and turn even the pickiest eaters into enthusiastic food explorers. In this fun, hands-on experience, instruction will include nutrition, food history and culture, geography, math, and more. No cooking experience is required — all skill levels are welcome!
Enjoy creating a curated menu of Sweetly Spiced Afghan Braised Eggplant (Borani Banjan), Whipped Yogurt Mint Sauce, and Minty Yogurt Afghan Drink (Dough).
All dietary restrictions will be accommodated. Please submit any food sensitivities or allergies to Teen Librarian, Emily, via email: goldenlibrary@jeffcolibrary.org
This culinary event is for the 6-11 crowd. REGISTRATION IS FULL, BUT YOU CAN JOIN THE WAIT LIST.
Golden Library
1019 10th Street (map)
12:30-1:30PM Teens Cook with Sticky Fingers @ The Library
There’s always something fun happening at the library when school is out!
Join Sticky Fingers Cooking for a cooking class that will inspire a love of healthy cooking and turn even the pickiest eaters into enthusiastic food explorers. In this fun, hands-on experience, instruction will include nutrition, food history and culture, geography, math, and more. No cooking experience is required — all skill levels are welcome!
Enjoy creating a curated menu of Sweetly Spiced Afghan Braised Eggplant (Borani Banjan), Whipped Yogurt Mint Sauce, and Minty Yogurt Afghan Drink (Dough).
All dietary restrictions will be accommodated. Please submit any food sensitivities or allergies to Teen Librarian, Emily, via email: goldenlibrary@jeffcolibrary.org
This program is for grades 6–12 only. Please respect the age limit for safety and peer learning. Registration is required.
Golden Library
1019 10th Street (map)
2-3PM Virtual/Call In: Active Minds Mondays - Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first secretary of the treasury during George Washington's presidency. Journey back with Active Minds as we visit the life and times of Alexander Hamilton, his friends, his enemies and the principles he fought (and perhaps died) to protect.
.Save your spot for this Zoom program. Log-in instructions will be emailed out approximately 30 minutes before the start of the program. For your security, please do not include your last name or only use your last initial when you register. If you are 13 years old or younger, please be sure you have a guardian’s permission to participate in this online program.
Call 1-669-254-5252 or 646-828-7666 to join by phone.
Meeting ID: 160 283 9630
Password: 268826
Golden History: Impending Dryness
Downtown Golden, circa 1890-1910, Denver Public Library Western History Collection
Click to enlarge
109 Years Ago
Nationwide prohibition went into effect in January 1920, but several states, including Colorado, went dry on January 1, 1916. The December 30, 1915 issue of the Colorado Transcript mused over the details of how prohibition would be enforced.
One article said that residents of six states–Colorado, Iowa, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Arkansas–were all hastening to stock up on liquor before the January 1st deadline.
A second article explained how medicinal liquor would be handled. Physicians would be required to obtain prescription forms from the state. The forms would be numbered and each doctor would have a serial number. Each prescription must include the full name of the doctor, the true name and address of the patient and the ailment for which the liquor was being prescribed. A prescription was limited to four ounces and was only valid for 48 hours.
Pharmacists had to apply for a license to sell prescription liquor, and could carry no more than 1% of their stock in liquor.
City Council was under pressure from the Anti-Saloon League to shame drinkers. Under a proposed ordinance, people caught drinking alcohol would have their names announced during City Council meetings. Their names would also be posted “in some prominent place” and become a permanent part of the municipal records. To maximize notoriety, they also considered requiring that photos be posted.
Weather
Overnight: A slight chance of rain and snow before 5am. Mostly cloudy. Low around 39, with temperatures rising to around 42 overnight. West wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday: Patchy blowing dust between 7am and 1pm. Mostly sunny. High near 43, with temperatures falling to around 35 in the afternoon. West northwest wind 24 to 33 mph, with gusts as high as 51 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. West wind 3 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly Clear, 21°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny, 33°F
Tuesday Night: Mostly Clear, 17°F
New Year's Day: Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers, 39°F
Wednesday Night: Slight Chance Snow Showers, 29°F
Thursday: Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny, 44°F
Thursday Night: Partly Cloudy, 30°F
Friday: Mostly Sunny, 51°F
Friday Night: Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers, 33°F
Saturday: Chance Rain And Snow Showers, 53°F
Saturday Night: Chance Snow Showers, 28°F
Sunday: Slight Chance Snow Showers, 41°F
News About Golden - December 30, 2024
End of Jefferson Parkway dispute could breathe new life into beleaguered highway proposal
By John Aguilar
Denver Post
Plans to build the contentious Jefferson Parkway toll highway through Broomfield and Jefferson counties — part of a conspicuously missing segment in metro Denver’s 83-mile beltway — are set to come back to life after years of delays, resistance and litigation.
But don’t expect the earthmovers and asphalt pavers to roar to life anytime soon on the 10-mile thoroughfare... Read more...
City of Golden Police Blotter
Crimewatch
December 18, 2024
December 19, 2024
December 20, 2024
December 21, 2024
December 22, 2024
December 23, 2024
December 24, 2024
December 25, 2024
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, Tom Reiley, and Michael Mason
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 Joy Brandt
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, AC Development, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer, Bud Rockhill, Steve Enger, and Kristie Brice & Mike Schwartz
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, Carol Abel, 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, and Jax Baker
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser
