Golden's Former Movie Theatre
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Monday, Jun. 23rd
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- 7-9AM - Clear Creek Corridor Cleanup
- 8AM - Municipal Court Criminal Arraignments
- 10:15-10:45AM - Let's Dance - Registration Required
- 2-3PM - Virtual: Active Minds Monday
- 4-6PM - Brittany Petterson Golden Mobile Office Hours
- 5:30-7PM - Golden Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting
- 5:30-7:30PM - The Fundamental Principles of Art
- 6PM - Rescheduled: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting @ City Hall
- 6-9PM - Teach Me to Play! Mondays
- 6:30PM - Movement Monday Running Club
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
What's Blooming Along Golden Trails? Needle and Thread!
By Tom Schweich
Grasses are sometimes hard to recognize, and there are lots of them. One of the easiest grasses to recognize along Golden’s trails is Needle and Thread – Hesperostipa comata
(Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth. Needle and thread grass has very long awns that wave in the breeze and catch the sun. The name “needle and thread” comes from a sharp point resembling the needle at the end of the floret and a long awn resembling the thread. However, the awn is not as flexible as real sewing thread and there is no evidence that the awn was ever actually used as thread.
Regardless, “Needle and Thread” — Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth ‐ is a very attractive and common native grass in Golden and indeed throughout the northern and western United States and Canadian provinces. For example, the author has also collected it at Mono Lake, California, near Yosemite National Park, and it is found across the Great Basin, throughout Colorado, and east to about central Nebraska and Kansas.
Needle-and-thread grass is a valuable perennial bunchgrass, meaning it grows in clumps and lives for multiple years, particularly known for its drought tolerance and ability to prevent wind erosion. The long, twisted awns are hygroscopic, meaning they bend and twist with changes in humidity. This movement helps the seed bury itself in the soil, increasing the chances of germination. The awns can sometimes be problematic for grazing animals. The sharp points of the florets can also stick to clothing and animal fur, aiding in seed dispersal. Needle and thread grass is common in native plant landscaping and is not considered weedy or invasive.
Credit goes to André Michaux (1803) for first recognizing needle and thread grass, noting that the grass lives “… in the rocky mountains from the Hudson to Canada.” Unfortunately, Michaux applied a name (Stipa juncea) that Linnaeus used for a grass in Switzerland and France. Our friends, Fredrick Pursh and Thomas Nuttall, did the same. It was Carl Bernhard Trinius and Franz Josef Ruprect (1842), working at the Imperial Academy of Sciences in Saint Petersburg, Russia, who recognized needle and thread grass as its own species (Stipa comata). Then Mary Barkworth (1993), arguing that the “Stipa” of North American were distinct from the Eurasian Stipa, placed our grass in a new genus: Hesperostipa, derived from hesperis meaning “western” and stipa referring to the feather grasses.
Andre Michaux
André Michaux was not mentioned in previous articles, though he appears repeatedly in the history of American botany. He was appointed by the French king, Louis XVI, as Royal botanist and sent to the United States in 1785 to make the first organized investigation of plants that could be of value to France. In 1787, Michaux established a botanical garden of 111 acres in Charleston, South Carolina. Making many expeditions to various parts of North America, Michaux described and named many North American species during this time. He also sent many plants and seeds to France and introduced plants to America from various parts of the world, including Camellia, tea-olive, and crepe myrtle.
When the French royalty lost their heads in the French Revolution (1789-1794±), Michaux lost his source of income. With the support of Thomas Jefferson, he almost achieved a scientific expedition to western North America, a full decade before Lewis & Clark, but the proposal fell through. On his return to France in 1796 Michaux was shipwrecked, however
most of his specimens survived. Specimens of almost 2,200 species of American plants collected by Michaux are housed at the French national herbarium (MNHN) in Paris. In 1800, Michaux sailed on an expedition to Australia, then went to Madagascar to investigate the flora of that island, where he died of a tropical fever in 1802.
References
Barkworth, Mary E. 1993. North American Stipeae (Gramineae): Taxonomic Changes and Other Comments. Phytologia. 74(1):1-25. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/13068912#page/18/
Michaux, Andre. 1803. Flora boreali-americana : sistens caracteres plantarum quas in America septentrionali collegit et detexit Andreas Michaux. [Flora of North America: consisting of the characters of plants collected and discovered in North America by Andre Michaux.] in 2 volumes. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/7567#page/75/
Trinius, Carl Bernhard, and Franz Josef Ruprecht. 1842. Species Graminum Stipaceorum. Petropoli: Typis Academiae Imperialis Scientiarum [Species of Stipa-like Grasses. Saint Petersburg: Printed by the Imperial Academy of Science] https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/15458949#page/82/
Note: When I am studying the history of plants and their discovery, such as the references above, I typically use the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL). A global consortium of over 660 contributors, BHL makes more than 63 million pages of biodiversity knowledge freely accessible online. The Smithsonian Institution, America’s museum, played a vital role in building and operating the administrative and technical components of BHL. However, as directed by the Department of Government Efficiency, on January 1, 2026, the Smithsonian will no longer host BHL. This is just one small example of how our country is stepping back from supporting global sciences. Fortunately for BHL, there are other institutions across the globe who will probably step into the void left behind this most unfortunate action of the current regime in Washington, D.C.
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.
When:
2-3PM on Monday, Jun. 23rd
5:30-7PM Golden Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting @ Golden Terrace Clubhouse
Join the Planning Department to discuss the Comprehensive Plan. For more information visit the project page for Golden's Comprehensive Plan.
Location:
Golden Terrace Clubhouse
99 Fawn Street (map)
When:
5:30-7PM, Monday, June 23rd
4-6PM Brittany Petterson Golden Mobile Office Hours @ Golden Library
The team of Brittany Petterson is holding mobile office hours in Golden and will be available to help with passports, the IRS, veterans benefits, Medicare and Social Security, immigration, or any federal agency.
If you need assistance, please stop by to meet with a member of her team. RSVP here. Walk-ups welcome!
Location:
Golden Library
1019 10th Street (Map)
When:
4-6PM on Monday, Jun. 23rd
6PM Rescheduled: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting @ City Hall
- Meeting Agenda & Packet
- Watch the meeting streaming live starting at 6PM
- Attend the meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers - 911 10th Street - (map)
- Send email comments to rrogers@cityofgolden.net.
The job of Parks & Recreation Director has been vacant for the past year. Tonight, the Parks & Rec board will meet the newly-hired Director, Jeremy Sweat.
They will review the Golden Open Space Master Plan. The latest draft is included in the meeting packet, pages 5-198.
They will discuss public comments they have been receiving about proposed changes to Lions Park.
Staff will update them on this summer's crowd management plans for Clear Creek.
Location:
City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street (Map)
When:
6PM on Monday, Jun. 23rd
Golden History: The Summer of Pancho Villa
Troops at the Rifle Range, exercising the scarce supply of horses - Denver Public Library Special Collections, Rh-190
Click to enlarge
In March of 1916, Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa led an army of fighters over the border into the United States. They attacked the city of Columbus, New Mexico, killing 19 people and burning the town. President Woodrow Wilson ordered General John Pershing to lead a punitive expedition into Mexico to find Villa. They failed to capture him, and after a year, the Mexican government withdrew permission for the American incursion, so they returned home. (In the meantime, the U.S. had entered World War I, so our troops were needed in Europe.)
119 Years Ago
The June 22, 1916, Colorado Transcript showed the Mexican action hitting home. The Colorado Rifle Range (now called Camp George West) was put into service as a training ground for National Guardsmen destined for Mexico.
This included the Company A Engineers from the Colorado School of Mines. Most of the men were out of town when the call came—some of them at geology summer camp in Loveland, others doing survey work in Idaho Springs—but they all hurried back to Golden.
They were required to move to barracks in the Armory and spent their days working and drilling at the camp. Their first job was working with the signal corps to lay out telegraph and telephone lines, to put the camp in a state of readiness for large numbers of soldiers. Other troops were building roads.
Quartermasters were assessing available supplies. They had enough uniforms and weapons but were short on ammunition. Tents and blankets were available and packed, in anticipation of a hasty deployment. They had plenty of wagons for transporting materials but were critically short of horses.
Ever mindful of tourism potential, the Transcript commented that the camp was attracting sightseers and crowds of relatives from Denver. "Sunday it is expected that thousands will go to the camp from Denver, Golden and other cities."
In August, the Army sent word that the Company A Engineers would not be needed on the front, so they were allowed to return to classes. They were instructed to hold themselves in readiness for service should their country need them.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly clear. Low around 52, with temperatures rising to around 55 overnight. North northwest wind around 6 mph.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. East northeast wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. North northeast wind 2 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 57°F
Tuesday: Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 81°F
Tuesday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 59°F
Wednesday: Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 78°F
Wednesday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 57°F
Thursday: Sunny, 86°F
Thursday Night: Mostly Clear, 61°F
Friday: Mostly Sunny, 89°F
Friday Night: Partly Cloudy, 63°F
Saturday: Mostly Sunny, 90°F
Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy, 59°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 87°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, Tom Reiley, Michael Mason, Colorado Railroad Museum, and Goosetown Station
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, Vic DeMaria, 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, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer, Bud Rockhill, Steve Enger, Kristie Brice & Mike Schwartz, The Golden Hotel, Kurt & Janet Siegfried, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, and Robert Thresher.
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, 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, Richard Caldwell, Janice Waring, Sam & Marilyn Baron, Carmen Johnson, Cherryln Parker, Mary Eiberger, and Kevin Nichols
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Mel Perkins, Bob Hamilton, Kim Linton, Steve Stevens
