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What's Happening in Golden - Tuesday, Jul. 15th, 2025

News and events in Golden, Colorado. Tuesday, Jul. 15th, 2025

,   and  Barb Warden
11 min read
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Fire in the Sky

Photo by Scott Wilson
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What's happening in Golden today?

Events for Tuesday, Jul. 15th

Golden History Tours
Baby Time - Registration Required
Preschool Time - Registration Required
Hand Embroidery Stitchers
Team Trivia Tuesday
Trivia Tuesdays

For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar

What’s in Bloom near Golden’s Trails? Silverleaf Nightshade!

Figure 1. “Silverleaf Nightshade” — Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. on South Table Mountain. Bottom Right: Map of silverleaf nightshade in Colorado; location of Golden indicated by a star.

By Tom Schweich

Last summer, the Weedbusters working at DeLong Park noticed a new plant. Its silvery leaves were interesting, but we had to wait until the plant bloomed to identify it.  When flowers opened, their folded-back purplish petals and bright yellow anthers clearly showed it to be a nightshade.  While there were several nightshades in Golden, some native and some non-native, this one was different. Eventually, we determined it to be the “Silverleaf Nightshade” — Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.

Our plant was first described by Antonio José Cavanilles (1745 – 1804), a leading Spanish taxonomic botanist, artist and one of the most important figures in the 18th century period of Enlightenment in Spain.  Cavanilles described a plant grown from seed in the Royal Botanic Garden in Madrid, Spain, writing only that the plant grows in “warm America” and was found "[On] the journey of the Spanish around the world."    

The origin of the genus name Solanum is uncertain, but the species name elaeagnifolium refers to the resemblance of its leaves to those of the Elaeagnus genus, known for their silvery appearance. A familiar example is the Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.), whose pale, shimmering leaves are a common sight in Golden. Next time you stroll along Clear Creek or drive Highway 6, look for the light-colored trees lining the trail or roadside — those are Russian olives. Unfortunately, this attractive tree is also listed as a Colorado Noxious Weed (List B), due to its invasive nature.

I had thought that DeLong Park was the only place our plant existed in Golden. Then last winter, Loraine Yeatts, a local botanist, found a large patch of silverleaf nightshade on South Table Mountain above Rimrock Drive. I went to see it last week and found a patch of 50 to 80 plants in full bloom. The large number of plants suggests it has been there for some time.  The Colorado distribution of our plant is primarily southeastern Colorado, with a small cluster of collections along the Purgatoire River.  How did it get to Golden? Seed could have been planted, either intentionally or accidentally or seed could have been brought in in fertilizer or soil amendment. Or possibly transported by a bird.  We will probably never know. 

In Colorado gardening, we often say we want to plant “natives.” But usually, we mean “native to Colorado” — a state defined by political boundaries rather than ecological ones. After all, Colorado is just a rectangle drawn across a wide range of landscapes, from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains. So how do we apply the concept of “native” to a specific plant? Should we keep it in Golden, or consider it non-native and remove it? And if a plant is native somewhere in Colorado but not to our local area, is it still appropriate to call it “native” in our gardens?

References

Cavavilles, Antonio Jose. 1794. Icones et descriptiones plantarum, quae aut sponte in Hispania crescunt, aut in hortis hospitantur. [Illustrations and descriptions of plants that either grow naturally in Spain or are found in gardens.] Volume 3. Madrid: Ex Regia Typographia, 1794. Description: https://bibdigital.rjb.csic.es/viewer/9681/?offset=#page=34 Illustration: https://bibdigital.rjb.csic.es/viewer/9681/?offset=#page=113

6-7:45PM Golden Beer Talks: What is a Makerspace?

Speaker: Tyler Kerr
Brewery: Luki Brewery

What Is A Makerspace—And How Did More Than 5,500 of them Pop Up Around the World in the Past 20 Years?

You may have heard the warning that robots and Artificial Intelligence are coming for our jobs–except the ones that rely on creativity. Makerspaces have become essential community hubs where people learn, experiment and bring creative ideas to life. While schools from elementary to graduate level are increasing adding Makerspaces to their campuses, working adults and entrepreneurs often lack access to similar environments where they can continue developing skills and exploring new ideas.

Join us to explore the Maker movement, discover what’s happening inside Makerspaces and learn how they’re transforming communities and fueling creative potential.

Learn more at www.goldenbeertalks.org.

Location:

Buffalo Rose
1119 Washington Avenue   (Map)

When:

6-7:45PM on Tuesday, Jul. 15th

8-10AM En Plein Air

Join professional artist, J Michael Gatlin, for an En Plein Air morning! Participants will be guided through choosing a subject, simplifying what we see, and building an interesting composition using drawing and watercolor, as we capture both cherished and unique outdoor locations in Golden.

Your own basic supplies will work, and Michael’s supply list and outdoor location available with registration.

Register

When:

8-10AM on Tuesday, Jul. 15th

8-9AM What's Brewing Golden @ The Golden Outpost

This monthly meeting will be on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., hosted by the The Golden Outpost.  Each month you will hear an update from City Council, DDA, City of Golden Police, and the Chamber, along with a business spotlight. We hope to see you there! 

This meeting is open to all businesses within the Golden area but with a focus on small businesses and restaurants within the City limits of Golden. This meeting is provided as a service by the Golden Chamber of Commerce. Chamber membership is highly encouraged but is not required to attend. Guests are welcome. 

More information

Location:

Golden Outpost
17695 S. Golden Road   (Map)

When:

8-9AM on Tuesday, Jul. 15th

9AM Golden Seniors - KaffeeKlatsch @ Golden Welcome Center

Hey, Golden Seniors!  Join your friends at the Welcome Center for coffee and conversation!  We meet on the Creekside Patio or the Heritage Community Boardroom.  Sponsored by the Golden Welcome Center, Golden Pond Retirement Community and the Rotary Club of Golden.

Location:

Golden Welcome Center
1010 Washington Avenue   (Map)

When:

9AM on Tuesday, Jul. 15th

10-11AM Story Time and Craft @ The Railroad Museum

Join staff and volunteers at the Colorado Railroad Museum as they share some of their favorite children’s stories with a decidedly railroad theme followed by a fun make and take.

Recommended ages 4-6 years old.

More information

Free for Museum Members and included with general admission.
 
   

Location:

Colorado Railroad Museum
17155 W. 44th Avenue   (Map)

When:

10-11AM on Tuesday, Jul. 15th

11:30AM-1:30PM Front Porch Lunch Bunch @ Lions Park

Photo by Joyce Davell

Lunch Bunch is a monthly lunch potluck in the park or a bring your own bag lunch at the Front Porch! Join us as we eat lunch together and create community. We all eat lunch; why not do it together!  

More information

Location:

Lions Park
1300 10th Street   (Map)

When:

11:30AM-1:30PM on Tuesday, Jul. 15th

Golden History: Dead Chickens, Baccili, Paving, Nuptials, Abandoned Cars, Fresh Fruit, and Serpents' Tongues

Downtown Golden in the 1920s – Denver Public Library Western History Collection CHS.X7532
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105 Years Ago

The July 15, 1920 Colorado Transcript reported the following.

  • 2000 chickens were killed when lightning struck the coop at the Industrial School (now the Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center). An employee of the school was in the building when the lightning struck and was “slightly stunned.” The chicken coop was 25’x120′ and burned “in a flash.” There were an addition 7000 chickens in the brooder house, which was ten feet away from the burning coop, but the Golden Fire department was able to save that.
  • A young lawyer who was visiting from Denver drowned in Clear Creek and his companion narrowly escaped the same fate.
  • The state chemist took samples of Golden’s water and declared that “no city in the United States had water more pure than Golden’s.” The article goes on to say that “Samples taken from the distributing reservoirs show no bacteria and no colon baccili."
  • The Golden Chamber of Commerce, then in its first year of existence, was planning to meet to discuss paving some of Golden’s streets.
  • Professor O’Byrne finished the 14 year task of writing a mathematics text book. The cost of printing was going to be prohibitive until he thought to have his freshman mathematics students hand-letter his 267 illustrations. He used the hand-lettered pages to produce zinc etchings, which greatly reduced the cost of printing.
  • Professor O’Byrne was having a big week, because that same issue of the paper announced that he had married Mrs. Dorothy Foss. Mrs. Foss’s first husband had died two years earlier, during the Great Influenza Epidemic. Mrs. Foss had a two-year old son in 1920, and she continued to run the Foss Drug Store until he was old enough to take up the reins. Professor O’Byrne, who died in 1927, designed the M on Mt. Zion.
  • The Sheriff’s Department was puzzled about a seven-passenger Chalmers car that had been wrecked on the Lookout Road. The car was upside down and there was blood on the ground, but there were no occupants and no one to be found in the vicinity. The license plate had been removed, as had the top of engine, which would have had a serial number on it. The tires and all accessories had also been removed.
  • Stewart Grocery Company was urging Golden to EAT FRESH FRUITS. Linder Hardware was selling Winchester Rifles and suggested that people take them on family vacations and teach the children to shoot. Robinson’s Cash Bookstore said its patrons should Buy a Golden Pennant for Your Motor Car or as a Souvenir Gift.
  • The Gem Theater planned to show Pricella Dean in “Pretty Smooth” on Thursday, Michael Lewis in “Faith of the Strong” on Saturday, and Buck Jones in “The Last Straw,” plus “Silent Avenger” on Tuesday.
  • The Local Paragraphs section advised us that H. M. Rubey was going to North Park for a fishing trip. Mrs. Grant Churches and children were spending the week with relatives in Longmont. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Parfet motored to Colorado Springs Sunday in their new Cadillac.
  • A classified ad offered a $500 Reward “for information that will convict and punish the women and men of Pleasantview with Serpents’ Tongues.”

Weather

Overnight's Weather

Overnight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. West wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday's Weather

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 94, with temperatures falling to around 88 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night's Weather

Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. West northwest wind 3 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 62°F

Wednesday: Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 86°F

Wednesday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 61°F

Thursday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 86°F

Thursday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 64°F

Friday: Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 89°F

Friday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 65°F

Saturday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 89°F

Saturday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 64°F

Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 88°F

Sunday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 65°F

Monday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 89°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 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, Kevin Nichols, Ed & Carol Freza, Laura Moore, Ruth Hund, Curtis Moore, Shelley & Jerry Devitt

Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Mel Perkins, Bob Hamilton, Kim Linton, Steve Stevens, Vicki Olson, and Emily Kurzinski

Highlights