Thursday

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

Thirsty Third Thursday is on hiatus for the summer, but head to the Mountaineering Museum tonight anyway because they’re hosting the third annual Bike Junkies party, starting at 6.  The Golden Bike Shop sponsors this event, which is a fund-raiser for the museum.  It includes a bike expo, food truck, movie and raffle.  This will be followed by an after-party at Woody’s with $3 PBR tallboys and $3 Golden City Red pints.

Another good option tonight is Dinosaur Fun Night at Art on the Brix, starting at 6:30.  They’ll be painting a fun, colorful version of an Iguanadon.  This is a benefit for the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge.

For those of us with a rather specialized idea of fun, there’s a City Council meeting tonight at 7.  You can watch it live on cable channel 8 or through the city website.

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More Postcards from the Past: The Funiculars

Posted on May 15, 2012 by admin

Since its earliest days, Golden has been popular with visitors.  In the early 1900s, people rode out from Denver on the streetcars to spend the day in the mountains.  From the depot at 13th and Washington, they headed to Castle Rock or Lookout Mountain.

In 1912, Rees Vidler built a funicular railway to the top of Lookout Mountain.  Its base was about where the water storage tank now is, and the summit was approximately where the antennas are.

Lookout Mountain Funicular

Left - Lookout Mountain Funicular, circa 1912. Right - the scar from the tracks, still visible today.

Not to be outdone, in 1913, Charles Quaintance built a funicular to the summit of Castle Rock.  At the top, he built a dance hall and lookout tower.

Castle Rock Funicular

Left - Castle Rock Funicular with the dance hall visible at the summit, circa 1913. Right - the scar left by the tracks, still visible today.

Neither railway was a commercial success, and both were gone by the 1920s, but they still capture our imagination a century later.

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Have a Low Key Night Out

Posted on May 15, 2012 by admin

Woody’s is having a movie night tonight, starting at 9.  They’re showing Better Off Dead, with John Cusack.

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Growing Up True

Posted on May 13, 2012 by admin

Have you read Golden’s “One Book,” Growing Up True?  Tonight is the night to discuss it with others at the Golden Library at 6:30.  We’ll have other book-related events through the rest of the year, but this is the last discussion group.  Don’t miss it–it’ll be fun!

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Suggested Mothers Day Outings

Posted on May 12, 2012 by admin

*  The Lookout Mountain Nature Center is offering two Mothers Day Wildflower Hikes today–one at 11 and one at 1:30.
*  Foothills Art Center, with its spectacular Dale Chihuly glass exhibit, is open today from 10 to 5.
*  The Golden History Center, which has a special exhibit on Golden’s historic glass industry, is open from noon – 4:30.
*  Clear Creek History Park will have costumed interpreters on hand from noon – 4:30.
*  The Astor House is open from noon – 4:30.
*  The Buffalo Bill Museum, which has a delightful special exhibit about Buffalo Bill as America’s first superhero, is open from 9-5.
*  At Dinosaur Ridge, the visitors center is open from 11 to 4 and the shuttle bus runs from 11 to 3.
*  The Colorado Railroad Museum is open from 9 to 5.
*  The Geology Museum at the Colorado School of Mines is open from
*  Miners Alley Playhouse is showing the comedy, The Two of Us, tonight at 6.  Mention the codeword “Mom” when phoning for tickets and you’ll receive a $6 discount per ticket.

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Greener Golden

Posted on May 12, 2012 by admin

The City is hosting a “Greener Golden Event” today at the Community Garden.  If you ordered one of the gardens-in-a-box, this is the day to pick it up.  Even if you didn’t, you’ll have the opportunity to buy water-saving plants for your garden (at good prices) and pick up some free mulch.  While you’re there, tour the Community Garden, meet members of the local garden clubs, ask questions of CSU Extension Master Gardeners, and learn about Community Supported Agriculture.  You can even tour Golden’s water treatment plant–how often do you get a chance to do that?

The Community Garden is on 8th Street, between the Community Center and the Briarwood Inn.  The event will run from 9 AM till noon.

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CONGRATULATIONS MINES GRADUATES!

Posted on May 10, 2012 by admin

The Colorado School of Mines 138th annual commencement will be held this morning at 9:30 on Kafadar Commons (1500 Illinois St.).  The commencement address will be given by Craig Barrett, retired chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Intel Corporation.

Miners Alley is running a Mothers Day special this weekend:  include the codeword “MOM” when ordering tickets online or mention it when calling the box office, and you’ll receive $6 off per ticket!  Plus, mothers visiting the theater this weekend are entitled to a free glass of champagne with a strawberry garnish.  Their current play, “The Two of Us,” is a delightful romantic comedy.  Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 6.

A little forewarning…on Saturday the Jefferson County schools will be hosting a Shakespeare festival in downtown Golden.  The event will begin with a parade down Washington Avenue at 9 AM which will end at the outdoor stages in Parfet Park.  This is the first year for this event, so please come downtown and support them and make them welcome.

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Thursday

Posted on May 9, 2012 by admin

Here’s a unique lunch idea: Foothills Animal Shelter is hosting a cook-off today from 11a.m to 1p.m.  Go hungry and sample homemade soup and chili.  Vote for your favorites by dropping a couple of bucks into the chefs’ dog dish.  The winning chefs will be determined by the amount donated.  All proceeds go to support the Animal Shelter.

There are several options for things to do in town tonight.  There’s a fly fishing presentation at the Mountaineering Center, a lecture on art glass production at Foothills, and a spring pops concert at the High School.  Those events all start at 7.  There’s also a City Council meeting at 7, which will be telecast live on cable channel 8 or on the city’s website.

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Saddle Up and Party

Posted on May 8, 2012 by admin

It’s hard to believe, but our “new” Visitors Center is 15 years old!  Come celebrate the Center’s anniversary, and kick off the tourism season today from 5-8.  Food will be provided by the Table Mountain Inn, beer provided by MillerCoors, and live music by guitarist David Potter.  This event is hosted by the Golden Chamber.

The Buffalo Bill Saddle Club is having their monthly meeting tonight at 7, at the Jeffco Fairgrounds.  This group has been riding together since 1947.  They sponsor trail rides, horse camping trips, and gymkhanas, and they ride in parades.  If you’re a horse-lover and interested in playing with kindred souls, head to the fairgrounds and meet them.

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Tuesday Night Options

Posted on May 7, 2012 by admin

6 pm – Join the Foothills Running and Cycling Club at the Clear Creek History Park for a 4 mile run.
6:30 – The Economic Development Commission meets in City Hall.
6:30 – Hunter Lovins lectures on sustainability at the Mountaineering Center.
9 – Movie night at Woody’s Pizza:  Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

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