The Wall
Photo by Linda Cobb
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Monday, Sep. 16th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- 7-9AM - Clear Creek Corridor Cleanup
- 10:15-10:45AM - Let's Dance
- 12-12:30PM - Mondays with the Mayor
- 1:30-3:30PM - Microsoft Word: Basics
- 2-3PM - Virtual: Active Minds Monday
- 5:30-7PM - Downtown Development Authority Meeting
- 6-9PM - Teach Me to Play! Mondays
- 7-9PM - Golden Concert Choir
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
What’s Blooming Along Golden’s Trails? Goldy-locks!
Figure 1. Two varieties of “Goldy-locks” — Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L.Nesom & G.I.Baird — along the Shoshonite Trail on South Table Mountain. Foreground: Variety nauseosa. Middle ground: Variety: graveolens (Nutt.) Reveal & Schuyler
By Tom Schweich
Most of us recognize the shrubs in the photo by the common name of “Rabbitbrush,” though there is no evidence that rabbits eat, live under, or are otherwise associated with this shrub. On the other hand, it is one of the few plants that were given a common name —"Goldy-locks” — when the scientific name was published.
Thomas Nuttall (1818) published the scientific name of Chrysocoma graveolens Nutt. for our shrub based upon a collection he made on the upper Missouri River in 1811. In the same entry he published a common name of “Goldy-locks” for the genus Chrysocoma, a very logical choice because in Greek “chryso” means yellow and “coma” means tuft of hair. Over the years the genus Chrysocoma has been refined and split into other names, so that our plant is now known as Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L.Nesom & G.I.Baird. However, the fact remains that its first published common name was Goldy-locks, and “Rabbitbrush” is a recent invention.
As it happens, we have two varieties of Ericameria nauseosa in Golden. They can be seen growing and blooming together on the Shoshonite Trail of South Table Mountain.
The large showy shrub with bright yellow flowers is the plant that was described by Thomas Nuttall (1818) when he used the common name Goldy-locks. Today we call it Ericameria nauseosa variety graveolens. This is very common in all of Golden’s open spaces, parks, and gardens.
We also have a smaller variety (in the foreground of the photo above) that is variety nauseosa. Variety nauseosa can be easily distinguished from variety graveolens by its smaller size, somewhat more blue-ish appearance, and more narrow and short leaves. This is sometimes called “Dwarf Rabbitbrush” but it is not a dwarf. It is naturally small. Not very common in Golden, it is found on the lower slopes of South Table Mountain, along Highway 6 at Eagle Ridge (between Kinney Run and Centura Urgent Care), with a few plants in Kinney Run itself.
References:
Nuttall, Thomas. 1818. The Genera of North American Plants and a catalogue of the species to the year 1817. 2 Vols.. Philadelphia: 1818. Link to Goldy-Locks.
1:30-3PM Microsoft Word Basics @ Golden Library
Practice the fundamentals of creating documents in Microsoft Word, including editing and formatting text and opening and saving documents.
Prerequisites: Basic computer skills, including using a mouse and keyboard.
Golden Library
1019 10th Street (map)
2-3PM Virtual/Call In: Active Minds Mondays - American Political Parties with the Library
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: American Political Parties
Throughout the world, democracies govern nations through political parties that compete to represent the wishes of voters. Many countries go through elaborate coalition building efforts to create alliances that are strong enough to govern. The United States, however, has a long standing history of a two party system. Explore the reasons why political parties arose in the U.S., the issues that lead to the development of new political parties and why the two party system appears so entrenched in American politics 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
5:30PM Downtown Development Authority Meeting @ City Hall
Photo by Richard Luckin
- Meeting Agenda
- Watch the meeting streaming live starting at 5:30PM
- Attend the meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers - 911 10th Street - (map)
- Send comments on any of the following topics to dda@cityofgolden.net
- Provide in-person comment at the beginning of the meeting, at 5:30PM
The DDA board will review their Priorities Tracker--a list of projects they're interested in undertaking. Possibilities include refreshing the arch, adding the Goosetown area (east of Ford St.) to their sphere of influence, creating a "gateway" (enhanced entrance to town) in the area of Hwy 58 and Washington Avenue, streetscaping (removing parking) Jackson Street, etc. The complete list appears on pp. 9-10 of the meeting memo.
They will review their proposed budget for the next two years. Their planned expenditures are rising sharply because they are budgeting $700K in 2025 and $500K in 2026 for "Contribution to City Projects." They currently have $2.98 million available as a "Development Reserve." This budget appears on pp. 11-12 of the meeting memo.
They have given the following grants to downtown businesses and non-profits this year (p. 20 of the meeting memo):
Capital Improvement
Golden Jui Jitsu $613.84
Babe's Tea Room $15,000.00
Golden Visitors Center $869.00
Look What I Found $1,282.00
Professional Services
April's Salon $2,039.00
Civic Foundation $1,050.00
TOTAL APPROVED GRANTS $20,854
Golden History: Steam Heat
1878 Courthouse at 15th and Washington
Click to enlarge
115 Years Ago
The September 16, 1909 Colorado Transcript reported that the county commissioners had hired J. H. Linder & Co. to install steam heating in the courthouse, thus eliminating “the antiquated and costly method of heating the various offices.”
For reasons that the paper never explained, the project was delayed until 1913. By that time, the commissioners had voted to eliminate the jail in the basement of the courthouse and build a separate jail and sheriff’s residence on the courthouse grounds.
The county issued a new request for proposals for a steam heating system and this time the job went to local blacksmith W. H. Fromhart, rather than hardware dealer Linder. A new building was constructed between the courthouse and the jail and two boilers were installed there to heat both buildings.
This got me started on a lengthy and unsuccessful search to learn what they had been using for heating prior to the new system. My guess is that each room in the courthouse had one or more coal-burning stoves. The Transcript did comment that the new steam plant reduced fuel costs considerably.
Many thanks to the Golden Rotary Club for sponsoring for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of September.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly clear. Low around 57, with temperatures rising to around 60 overnight. West wind around 7 mph.
Monday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 81, with temperatures falling to around 77 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 3 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Monday Night: Partly Cloudy, 60°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 82°F
Tuesday Night: Mostly Clear, 53°F
Wednesday: Sunny, 79°F
Wednesday Night: Mostly Clear, 54°F
Thursday: Sunny, 80°F
Thursday Night: Slight Chance Rain Showers, 54°F
Friday: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 73°F
Friday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 52°F
Saturday: Chance Rain Showers, 68°F
Saturday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 50°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 72°F
News About Golden - September 16, 2024
Golden Community Conversations announces Meet & Mingle gatherings
By Golden Community Conversations
Your Hub
Golden Community Conversations, an unaffiliated public group founded in 2023, has announced “Meet & Mingle,” a series of community gatherings this September and October that are open to all Golden residents. Funded by a City of Golden Thriving Communities Grant, these community events are intended to provide opportunities for residents to convene in a comfortable, nonthreatening setting to meet new people, share ideas and foster community... Read more...
Colorado Mines football survives upset scare at Washburn, remains unbeaten
Denver Post
The Colorado School of Mines football program’s regular-season dominance faced a stern test Saturday in Topeka, Kansas... Read more...
City of Golden Police Blotter
Crimewatch
September 6, 2024
September 7, 2024
September 8, 2024
September 9, 2024
September 10, 2024
September 11, 2024
September 12, 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, Morris & Mae Market, Miners Saloon, Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden Hayride Outpost, Kona Bowls, Unite Fitness, Tom Reiley, Michael Mason, and Esther Kettering
Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $500/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Goozell Yogurt & Coffee Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Beth Bidwell, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, and Joy Brandt
Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $250/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, 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
Members:
($10-24.99/month or $100/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, 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, and Ken and Colleen Krantz.
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser
