Changing Weather
Photo by: Karen Oxman
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Monday, Nov. 4th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Fall Yard Waste Collection
- 10:15-10:45AM - Let's Dance - Registration Required
- 12-12:30PM - Mondays with the Mayor
- 1:30-3PM - Computer Basics
- 2-3PM - Virtual: Active Minds Monday
- 5-8PM - Monday Market
- 5:30PM - Board Game & Euchre Night
- 5:30-7:30PM - The Fundamental Principles of Art
- 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’s Open Spaces? North Table Mountain
Top Left: Raven on North Table Mountain. Top Center: American Plum — Prunus americana Marshall. Bottom Left: City of Golden North Table Mountain Open Space from Mitchell School. Right: Location of City of Golden Open Space on southwest slopes of North Table Mountain.
By Tom Schweich
The City of Golden is working on our first Open Space Master Plan to define how we care for the approximately 400 acres of open space in our city (See: PDF Map of Golden Open Space). Our largest open space is 136 acres in size on the southwest slope of North Table Mountain. In the photo above, the city owns all the space below the rim of the mesa and down to the houses. North to south, the city’s open space runs roughly from the quarry road in the north to the climber’s trailhead in the south.
This open space was acquired from the Mesa Meadows subdivisions and from Jefferson County between 1983 and 2000. It is dedicated by deed for public open space, park, or recreation purposes.
There are three trailheads giving access to Golden’s North Table Mountain Open Space. One is maintained by the city. It is on Peery Drive between Peery Parkway and Ptarmigan Street. There are no facilities or information kiosks here, and the small sign is easy to miss. The city’s North Table Mountain Trail is a narrow natural surface trail that zig-zags up the slope. The city trail does not lead to the top of the mesa, but the top of the mesa can be accessed by a social trail. The social trail has a rock scramble that adds to its charm where it passes through the rim of the mesa.
The other two trailheads are maintained by Jefferson County Open Space. The West Trailhead is accessed from Colorado Highway 93 just north of town. The Golden Cliffs Trailhead is accessed by a dirt road from Peery Parkway.
Like South Table Mountain, North Table Mountain is made up of river and floodplain deposits (Denver Formation) capped by basalt lava flows (Anderson & Haseman, 2021). Mineralogists will find zeolite minerals in the lava flows of interest. The K-T (K-Pg) boundary, which separates the age of reptiles and the age of mammals, occurs between lava flows, though the Jeffco lands are better to see this.
The vegetation of North Table Mountain Open Space is a mosaic of Foothills Shrublands, with some prairie and riparian zones. In mid- to late-April patches of the slopes will turn white with flowers of American plum (Prunus americana Marshall). Botanists call this plant precocious, meaning that it flowers before the leaves emerge. Later in the spring, you may notice a sweet perfume in the air. This can often be traced to Mountain Ninebark (Physocarpus monogynus (Torr.) J.M. Coult.) blooming in the small ravines.
Wildlife is typical for the region with deer, coyotes, and rattlesnakes seen occasionally. The author has had one encounter with a mountain lion in the thickets of American plum on city open space. The entirety of North Table Mountain is a listed eBird hotspot, with 158 species of birds listed.
References
Anderson, Donna S. and Paul B. Haseman. 2021. Golden Rocks: The Geology and Mining History of Golden, Colorado, Golden, Colorado.
City of Golden. 2024. Guiding Golden: Path to Play. https://www.guidinggolden.com/path-to-play
Cornell University, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2024. eBird. https://ebird.org/home
Stewards of Golden Open Space. 2019-2024. North Table Mountain. https://stewardsofgolden.org/north-table-mountain
Wikipedia, Editors of. 2024. Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretaceous%E2%80%93Paleogene_boundary
2-3PM Virtual Active Minds: Winston Churchill
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: Winston Churchill
As one of the key architects of the Allied victory in World War II, Winston Churchill is widely regarded as one of the most important political leaders of the 20th century. Examine Churchill’s life before becoming prime minister of England, his years in the job and his lasting impact on his country and the world with Active Minds.
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
5:30-7:30 Fundamental Principles of Art @ Foothills Art Center
Whether you’re beginning your artistic journey, returning to your art after some time off, or simply interested in refreshing your basic skills, you’ll find our group of artists welcoming and supportive. We enjoy experimenting in a personal way with the tools of the trade such as color, line, composition, values, shapes, and other essential skills. All levels of experience are welcome. Acrylic, oil paint, watercolor, gouache, and any drawing medium are welcome.
We meet on Monday nights from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. November 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
Explorer & Creator Members $40 / Catalyst Members $80 / Non Members $110
Foothills Art Center
809 15th Street (map)
(303) 279-3922
Donate Blood on Wednesday
Parking lot at 10th & Illinois - Google Street Images
The Bloodmobile will be next to the library on Wednesday. You must preregister to donate, and you can do it here. Use Site Code 5538.
If you're interested in donating but can't find an appointment on that day and location, scroll through the options at donors.vitalant.org. There are several nearby options, including Denver West, the Warren Tech campus, and on the School of Mines campus.
Golden Library sponsors the Vitalant Blood Drive on first Wednesdays of alternate months.
Golden History: Ashes and Ash Pits
This small Victorian house is now attached to the brick building next door, and the combined building is considered 717 12th Street. It may have been the Nankervis residence (715 12th) in 1937. Source: Google Street View
Click to enlarge
87 Years Ago
Sammy Nankervis Falls in Ash Pit
Sammy, two-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Nankervis, suffered severe feet and leg burns Wednesday afternoon, when he fell into the ash pit at his home on Twelfth street. His mother received bad hand burns when she pulled him out of the hot ashes.
Colorado Transcript – November 4, 1937
Trees were always scarce in this area, and those that grew here, along the creeks or in the foothills, were quickly claimed by the pioneers for shelter or fuel. For most of Golden’s 165 year history, our residents relied on coal to heat their homes and cook their food.
Coal always leaves some ash, which must be removed to keep the fire burning efficiently. Golden residents were thoroughly familiar with the endless cycle of feeding coal into the stove or furnace and removing the ashes.
What did they do with those ashes? They were both messy and hot, with live embers often mixed in with the ash. In the 1930s, most homes in Golden had ash pits (or ash barrels or ash cans) in their backyard. Ideally, these were made of non-flammable material and had a cover to prevent the embers from escaping.
Many house, barn, and business fires were kindled by careless ash disposal. The Fire Department worried and lectured constantly about safe use of ash pits.
They were also a dangerous and hard-to-resist nuisance when children were around.
Thank you to Wendy Weiman for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of November.
Weather
Overnight: Snow. Cloudy. Low around 31, with temperatures rising to around 33 overnight. North wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Monday: Snow likely before 11am. Mostly cloudy. High near 40, with temperatures falling to around 38 in the afternoon. North northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Monday Night: Mostly clear. Low around 30, with temperatures rising to around 34 overnight. West wind 3 to 17 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly Clear, 30°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Light Snow, 49°F
Tuesday Night: Snow, 30°F
Wednesday: Snow, 30°F
Wednesday Night: Chance Light Snow, 24°F
Thursday: Chance Light Snow, 34°F
Thursday Night: Chance Light Snow, 28°F
Friday: Chance Rain And Snow, 40°F
Friday Night: Chance Rain And Snow, 31°F
Saturday: Chance Rain And Snow then Mostly Sunny, 49°F
Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy, 37°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 53°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, Morris & Mae Market, Miners Saloon, Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden Hayride Outpost, Kona Bowls, 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, Joy Brandt, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Mary & Don Parker, Saré Merrigan, Nannette Johnson and the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
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, and Bud Rockhill
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, Casey & Gina Brown, 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, and Jo Barber.
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser
