Elk at the Courthouse
Photo by Carol McEncroe
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Thursday, Dec. 5th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- 9AM - Public Art Commission Meeting
- 9:15-9:45AM - Baby Time - Registration Required
- 10-10:30AM - Call In: Mid-Morning Meditation
- 10AM-5PM - Foothills Art Center - Holiday Art Market
- 10AM-5PM - Foothills Art Center - Holiday Art Market
- 3-4:30PM - Vaccine, License & Microchip Clinic
- 4-11PM - Cheese Night with Cheese Ranch!
- 4:30-6PM - CANCELED: REDI Task Force Meeting
- 5-7:30PM - Teen Night
- 5-8PM - Holiday Market
- 6PM - Run Club
- 6-7PM - Ukulele Thursdays
- 6-10PM - Wax N' Suds
- 6-8PM - Ugly Sweater Workshop
- 6-8PM - Ugly Sweater Workshop
- 6:30PM - Brewmaster Dinner Series at The Eddy
- 7:30PM - A Christmas Carol
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
Holiday Events in Golden
There are a lot of holiday events this weekend. Here's a sampling:
Thursday
10AM-5PM Holiday Art Market @ Foothills Art Center
6PM Ugly Sweater Workshop @ Foothills Art Center
7:30PM A Christmas Carol @ Miners Alley Performing Arts Center
Friday
9AM-9PM Holiday Craft Faire @ Jefferson Unitarian Church
10AM-5PM Holiday Art Market @ Foothills Art Center
6:30-8:30PM Holiday Celebration @ the Library
6:30PM Candlelight Walk
7:30PM A Christmas Carol @ Miners Alley Performing Arts Center
Saturday
10AM and 11AM Nature's Gifts @ Lookout Mountain Nature Center
10AM-5PM Holiday Art Market @ Foothills Art Center
11AM and 1PM The Story of the Nutcracker @ Miners Alley Children's Theater
9AM-4PM Holiday Craft Faire @ Jefferson Unitarian Church
9AM-12PM Holiday Bazaar @ Golden High School
10AM-12PM Holiday Wreath Workshop @ Golden Mill
4PM Golden Concert Choir Winter Concert - Carols from Around the World
7:30PM A Christmas Carol @ Miners Alley Performing Arts Center
Sunday
9AM and 12PM Golden Elf Academy
9AM Santa Tours Pleasant View on a FireTruck
12-5PM Holiday Art Market @ Foothills Art Center
2:30PM A Christmas Carol @ Miners Alley Performing Arts Center
3PM Holiday Concert with the Jefferson Symphony
Find even more holiday events for this weekend and the rest of the month on our Olde Golden Holidays calendar.
You can also find information on the City's tourism site: VisitGolden.com.
9AM Public Art Commission @ City Hall
Excerpt from the Shelton Mural, currently located at the Community Center - photo by Dave Powers
- Meeting Agenda
- Watch the meeting streaming live starting at 9AM
- Attend the meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers - 911 10th Street - (map)
- Provide in-person comment during the meeting, at 9AM.
- Send email comments to pac@cityofgolden.net.
Staff will update the Public Art Commission (PAC) regarding the formation of an Arts & Culture Commission, which will absorb and replace the PUC.
The Hal Shelton mural, which is currently on display on the second floor of the Community Center, is on long-term loan from the Civic Foundation. The mural needs some conservation work and a new clear covering. The cost will be about $14,500, which the PAC and the Civic Foundation will split.
They plan to release a request for proposals for art in Ulysses Park. The budget for that project is $92,000. The due-date for proposals will be mid-January.
They had planned to commission art for the "Triangle Park"--the piece of property at the junction of East St. and South Golden Road. The budget is running out, so staff is recommending that they wait to install something in 2026.
They have issued a call for entries for an artistic bike corral (not sure where that will go, nor what the budget is). They received 19 entries and will pick one. Staff recommends that they include a member of the long-range planning staff in the selection jury.
The artwork on the signal box at 13th and Ford is apparently wearing art. PAC asked what it would cost to redo (new artwork) all seven of the downtown signal boxes. The total cost was $8500 in 2019. Staff is working to get a current estimate.
Current status of the in-progress art installations:
- New Loveland Mine Park - under contract
- Clear Creek Trail - Location has been chosen
- DeLong Park - Parameters refined
5-7:30PM Teen Night @ Golden Community Center
Golden Teen Nights is a program designed and operated by a group of Golden High School students with Golden Rotarians serving as helpers/advisors. Teen Nights is designed to give students an opportunity to interact with their peers in a setting outside of school. It is held the first Thursday of each month (excluding June and July), 5:00 to 7:30 pm at the Golden Community Center. Attractions include board games, swimming, pool, soft drinks, pizza, snacks, and just hanging out. Other organizations are often invited to attend and make presentations to the teens. The program is funded by a Thriving Community grant from the City of Golden.
For more information, contact Tom Hughes at eth5530@cs.com.
Golden Community Center
1470 10th Street (map)
6-8PM Ugly Sweater Workshop @ Foothills Art Center
Bring an old sweater and come decorate it at the Creative Campus! Free supplies and drinks will be provided, this event is only for Catalyst members and above. Please RSVP here to secure your spot.
This is a 21+ event!
Foothills Art Center
809 15th Street (map)
6-7PM Ukulele Thursday @ Golden Library
Got a Ukulele? Know a few chords or songs? Strum with others at this informal opportunity to meet other ukulele enthusiasts and strum a few songs together. This workshop is best suited for ages 13+.
Additional dates
Golden Library
1019 10th Street (map)
Live Music for Thursday, Dec. 5th
- 5-8PM Josh Blackburn @ Golden Mill
Golden Mill - More Live Music
6-8PM Open Mic Night with Justus @ Goosetown Station
6PM Moonstone Quill @ New Terrain Brewing
8PM Karaoke @ Rock Rest Lodge
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: Working Out the Kinks in the Candlelight Walk
Candlelight Walk, 2017 - Photo by Barb Warden
Click to enlarge
I had always understood that the Candlelight Walk began in 1987. Last night, I looked back at the Golden Transcripts from that year to see whether the event was essentially the same as it is today. It wasn't! There were several separate events that, together, were similar to things we do now, but they lacked an essential element to make it a Candlelight Walk...the Walk part.
1987
At 6:45PM on December 3, 1987, "the first-ever lighting of the trees along the mile-long Clear Creek corridor, a sight promising to be spectacular" occurred. Fifteen minutes later, at 7PM, the "Golden Festival of Lights" began when the large evergreen across the street from Foothills Art Center was lighted. That event also included hot apple cider, Christmas caroling, and a visit from Santa. Some of the downtown merchants were giving away stocking stuffers.
How did the crowd get from the 6:45 Creek lighting to the 7PM tree lighting at Foothills Art Center, then back to visit the stores along Washington Avenue? They must have had to hustle!
Improving the Traffic Pattern
By 1988, I found that the order of events was more recognizable. The crowd was encouraged to gather at 15th and Washington at 6PM to light the big tree.
The crowd will proceed down Washington Avenue in a mini-parade, escorted by the Golden Police Department, and to the holiday sounds of the high school band and carolers. Santa will lead the crowd, riding in a horse-drawn wagon....
The parade will wind down to Clear Creek for the lighting of the city lights. Santa will be available to kids on Washington Avenue from 7 to 9 p.m. and all the shops are planning to stay open until 9 p.m.
Dorothy Akal, who wrote the Avenue Flashes column at that time marveled at the beauty of the sight, and thanked the volunteers who had made it possible. "It's so incredible because stringing the lights were people like the 'guy next door,' not a talented group of artists planning for a gala Christmas display."
With prescience, she added:
I have the feeling that this is definitely developing into Golden's own symbol of Christmas. Just as people look forward to the lighting display at the City and County Building in Denver, they will be looking forward to a stroll down "Fairyland Lane" in Golden. It's simple, effective and so in tune with nature. Thanks again, Golden, for this unobtrusive reminder that the spirit of Christmas is renewed again.
Golden Transcript - December 8, 1988
I'm not sure I've ever gone to Denver to see their City and County Building. Why would I, when I live in Golden?
In recent years, tens of thousands of people have participated. They still meet at 15th and Washington, near Foothills Art Center. Led by Santa Claus and his wife, the group walks slowly down the hill, holding candles and singing Christmas carols. As they reach each of the cross streets, the lights along that block are turned on. When they reach the Visitors Center, there are music and dance performances, followed by the grand lighting moment. The large evergreen at 10th and Washington is turned on, with its thousands of multicolored lights. At the same time, the lights along the creek and the trees in Parfet Park come on.
The Library and the History Museum are open that evening. Many of the stores along Washington Avenue have refreshments and some have live music.
It's the most enchanting night of the year in Golden.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. North northwest wind around 3 mph.
Thursday: Sunny. High near 56, with temperatures falling to around 44 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 2 to 6 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear. Low around 35, with temperatures rising to around 39 overnight. West wind around 7 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly Clear, 35°F
Friday: Sunny, 55°F
Friday Night: Mostly Clear, 35°F
Saturday: Sunny, 59°F
Saturday Night: Mostly Clear, 38°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow, 56°F
Sunday Night: Chance Rain And Snow, 28°F
Monday: Chance Light Snow, 34°F
Monday Night: Partly Cloudy, 19°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny, 36°F
Tuesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 26°F
Wednesday: Mostly Sunny, 47°F
News About Golden - December 5, 2024
City of Golden Weekly Digest
In this issue... Download PDF below.
Why some residents in Golden are against plans for a new municipal building
CBS Colorado
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, 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, Bud Rockhill, and Steve Enger
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, and Nancy & Pete Torpey
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser
