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Boxes & Scat

Lookout Mountain Nature Center

From 10-1 today, the Lookout Mountain Nature Center will be teaching visitors about SCAT!  Were you a “stinker” this year? Then join us to learn about different types of animal scat. Compare carnivore and herbivore scat and then make your own holiday crap….er, craft. All ages–FREE!

There’s an interesting program this afternoon at the Clear Creek History Park:  The Box from Back East

Today, people can’t imagine being delighted by a length of new hair ribbon or a tin cup as a gift. However, homesteaders living on the short grass prairie and near the gold fields of Colorado lived a simple and sometimes desperately poor life at the end of a very long supply line. Learn about the day-to-day challenges of 1880’s homesteaders as we explore the contents of a holiday “box from back east” and discover what made each item so welcomed and valued. Enjoy hot tea and homemade cookies from a 19th century recipe. Presented by living history interpreter Priscilla Marshall. Recommended for participants age 12 and up. Meet at Guy Hill Schoolhouse in Clear Creek History Park. $15 members, $20 non-members.

Some Enchanted Evening

Candlelight Walk - Golden Colorado

The Candlelight Walk is my favorite event of the year.  It’s pretty and it’s fun, and everybody is happy.  Here’s what you can expect:

Santa Claus will be at Foothills Art Center from 4:30-6, so if you want to get pictures with Santa, that’s your opportunity.  The Crowd for the Candlelight Walk will gather in the street in front of Foothills at about 6.  Bring a candle or buy one there.  At about 6:30, the crowd will start walking down Washington Avenue.  As the leading edge of the crowd passes each block of Washington Avenue, the lights come on.  When they reach the stage in front of the Visitors Center, they’ll watch a brief show, and then the Mayor, along with 11-year-old Aaron (a Golden resident) will flip the switch to illuminate the big tree at 10th and Washington and the trees along the Creek.

Some people like to walk down the hill with the group, while others like to wait near the Creek, to watch them approach.  In either case, it’s a lovely site!

brucebouchBruce Bouch at Baby Doe’s

After “the lighting,” plan to stroll through the Clear Creek History Park, the Golden Library, and the Golden History Museum for music, treats, and general fun.  The stores downtown will be open, so you can get in some early holiday shopping.  Baby Doe’s will have their annual performance by Bruce Bouch and his group, Fat Fingers Quartet.

This will be a magical night in Golden, so I hope you can be here for it.


Tomorrow morning, the Olde Golden Christmas Parade will start at 10:30 and run for about half an hour along Washington Avenue.  Afterwards, plan to stick around for hayrides ($5/person, 5 and under free), Newfoundland Dog cart rides (for kids), and general fun.  Be sure you admire the window displays!

Golden High School will have their 3rd Annual Craft Bazaar tomorrow from 10-3.  Complete all of your holiday shopping in one spot while supporting a good cause. The bazaar is a great place for you to find all kinds of gifts for everyone on your list – large and small items, gifts for the home, gifts of food and snacks. The event helps support the Golden High School PTA. Free parking and admission. They’ll have over 60 vendors and 70 tables full of a wide variety of goods.  The High School is located at 701 24th Street (map).

December Preview

margaret

December is an exciting month in Golden!  For more info, see the Calendar of Events.

Ongoing
Holiday Art Market at Foothills Art Center (through 12/30)
A Christmas Carol at Miners Alley (Thurs-Sun)
The Story of the Nutcracker at Miners Alley (Sat. afternoon)
Holiday Window Display Contest
Letters to Santa at the Visitors Center

1
Artist Demo at Foothills Art Center
First Thursday Lecture at the Geology Museum
2
Concert in the (Mines) Library – Tuba Christmas
Pictures with Santa at Foothills Art Center
Environmental Learning for Kids Fundraiser at Cannonball Creek
Candlelight Walk
Winter Concert at the School of Mines
3
Olde Golden Christmas on Parade
Golden View Classical Academy Winterfest
Golden High School Holiday Bazaar
Pictures with Santa at Applewood Valley United Methodist
Soaps & Ciders at Spinster Sisters
Coffee with a Councilor (Saoirse Charis-Graves)
Kids Crafts at Foothills Art Center
Holiday Hayrides
Newfoundland Dog Cart Rides
Holiday Ornament Decorating Party at Dinosaur Ridge
Take & Bake Cookie Workshop at Earth Sweet Botanicals
Jefferson Symphony Holiday Concert
Art Rocks the Toad – Jessie Crock at Mountain Toad
Woody’s Downhill Saturday
Teens After Dark at the library – Krampus
4
Carriage Rides Downtown
Colorado Wilderness Families Holiday Party
What the Dickens? Christmas Carolers at the Briarwood
5
Family Lab at the Library: Holiday Hacks
6
Colorado Gives Day
Dangle and Donate at Earth Treks Climbing Center
Mitchell Elementary Kindergarten Info Night
7
Triceratots at Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado Gold: Star, Saga &the South Platte at the Library
8
Jeffco Open Space Nature Journal Club
Artist Demo at Foothills Art Center
Golden Women in Business Showcase
9
Nutcracker at the High School
10
Pancakes with Santa
Mine Craft – Desert Island Survival at the Community Center
Soaps & Ciders at Spinster Sisters
Olde Golden Christmas on Parade
Kids Crafts Gingerbread Houses at Foothills Art Center
One Year Anniversary Party at Earth Sweet Botanicals
Holiday Hayrides
Newfoundland Dog Cart Rides
Nutcracker at the High School
11
‘Tis the Season to Learn about Scat at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center
Kids Crafts Gingerbread Houses at Foothills Art Center
The Box from Back East at the Clear Creek History Park
Festivus for the Rest of Us Beer Dinner at Barrels & Bottles
12
STEM Girls at the Library
13
Golden Beer Talks – How Coors Got to Zero Waste
Full Moon (another Super Moon)
Managing Holiday Stress at the Library
14
Nature’s Gifts at Lookout Mountain Nature Center
Holiday Sing-a-Long at the Rec Center
CoderDojo at the Library
15
Thirsty Thursday at the Mountaineering Center
Christmas Music at the History Museum
Speaker at the Mountaineering Center – Paul Robinson
Stress-free Shopping for Men at Foothills Art Center
Instrumental Holiday Concert at the High School
Holiday Party at Mountain Toad
16
CSM Fall Commencement
Choir Holiday Concert at the High School
17
Olde Golden Christmas on Parade
Gabby Gourmet Book Signing and Live Radio Show – Grateful Bread
Holiday Hayrides
Newfoundland Dog Cart Rides
Soaps & Ciders at Spinster Sisters
18
Carriage Rides Downtown
20
Storytime and Craft at the Railroad Museum
Book Group at the Library – Red Sky at Morning
21
Winter Solstice
Last day of school for Jeffco students
23
Making snow globes at the library
24
Family Time at the Library
25
Christmas Day
26
HART Leftovers at Foothills Art Center
28
Intro to JavaScript at the Library
29
iPad Basics at the library
31
Family New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Library

Candlelight Walk – This Friday

Golden Candlelight Walk

Just a foretaste–the Candlelight Walk will be this coming Friday, December 2nd.  If your children want to meet Santa (and have their picture taken), head to Foothills Art Center, starting at 4:30.

The rest of the crowd will meet at 6:30 at Foothills Art Center. From there, the group will walk down the hill to the Creek and the Mayor will flip a switch to light the giant tree at the Visitors Center.  After that, the crowd will disperse to the other delights of the town.

The stores will be open late, and many of them will have special treats or entertainment.  Baby Doe’s will have live music.  The Clear Creek History Park will be buzzing, with campfires, roasted chestnuts, and warm cider, music and singing.  The History Museum has a great set-up for a family selfie with a historic Golden backdrop.  The Library will have refreshments and live entertainment.


lights8Photo by Bob Pearce – City of Golden

Would you like your adorable child to help the Mayor turn on the lights?  Enter their name in the drawing at Credit Union of Colorado, 1800 Jackson St.  They’re open Mon – Fri 9 – 5:30 and Sat 9-1.  Children ages 4-12 are eligible, and the parent or legal guardian must show proof of living in Golden.  The drawing will take place on Wednesday, November 30th.

LOTS of Options This Weekend

Tomorrow, I’ll be publishing the preview of October events, so here’s a quick overview of this weekend’s events.


Golden Solar Homes TourTomorrow from 9-4 is the 5th Annual Golden Tour of Solar and Sustainable HomesTake the Tour Register at the Mountaineering Center, get the map, and take the self-guided tour. Visit each “green” home and talk with the home owners and volunteers about the green features of each home. Participate in the self-guided tour of homes in your community and discover ways you can incorporate solar and renewable energy into your life! $10 / adult.  Register at the American Mountaineering Center 710 10th Street. Organized by Golden Earth Days and Colorado Renewable Energy Society.  More information.  

The Tour will be followed by a reception and Green Expo from 4-6 at the Mountaineering Center.  The event is open to the public and will feature the FREE to attend GREEN EXPO, including Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Exhibits and Green Car Display. Appetizers and local beverages.  Please visit GoldenSolarTour.org or Facebook.com/GoldenSolarTour for more details.

Golden Real Estate will have an Electric Vehicle Round-Up in their parking lot from 9AM-4PMThis is open to everyone–not just participants in the Solar Homes Tour.  If you have an electric vehicle, drive it over and join the party!  If you don’t, stop by to learn about them.  Some of the owners will be giving rides.  Jim Smith will be on hand to tell people who EV’s work and why they are more efficient and more affordable than gas-powered cars when you factor in how little there is to maintain or fix.  See them at 17695 S. Golden Road. (Map)


Tomorrow morning is the FINAL Golden Farmer’s Market for the year.  They’ll be there from 8-1.  After that, you’ll have to wait till June!


The Clear Creek History Park will host a Homesteader’s Day tomorrow from 10-2.  Experience 19th century homesteading, explore the historic cabins, try woodstove cooking, learn about blacksmithing, and take a lesson at the schoolhouse.


Our newest craft brewery, New Terrain Brewing Company, is having their Grand Opening tomorrow, starting at noon.


Tomorrow night is the last official Golden Super Cruise of the year.


The Jefferson Symphony’s first concert of the season will take place Sunday afternoon at 3PM on the School of Mines campus.  Learn more….


Don’t forget the Radical Reels Film Tour tonight and tomorrow night at the Mountaineering Center.

Wild Weekend

Golden High School Homecoming paradeHomecoming parade – 2007

Come downtown for the GHS Homecoming Parade tonight at 5!  Then cheer on the home team at 7 at Marv Kay Stadium.

There’s a woodstove cooking class tomorrow morning at the Clear Creek History Park.  Participants will be making pies!  These classes often sell out, so call the Golden History Center to check, is you’re interested in attending:  303-278-3557.

Tomorrow afternoon, Earth Sweet Botanicals will offer a cooking class at 3PM:  Make Ahead Meals.

This will be the last weekend for Thomas the Tank Engine at the Railroad Museum, so if you’ve been meaning to go, buy your tickets now!

Super Saturday

farmersmarket2

The Farmers Market is winding down for the year.  The last date is October 1st.  So go NOW, while you CAN!  They’re open from 8-1 this morning.

Golden City Councilor Saoirse Charis-Graves will be at Bean Fosters this morning from 10-11 to talk to constituents about any questions or concerns they have regarding Golden.

This is Homesteader Day at the Clear Creek History ParkExperience 19th century homesteading, explore the historic cabins, try woodstove cooking, learn about blacksmithing, and take a lesson at the schoolhouse.  They’ll be there from 10-2!

The Golden Super Cruise is tonight on South Golden Road.  This is the second-to-last one for the year.

Preview of September Events

Another interesting month in Golden!  For the details on these events, see the Golden.com calendar.

1
Tiny Home Expo at the Library
Have you met your local raptor? at the Nature Center
2
Furry Friends Social at the Green Paw
Quilt til You Wilt at Golden Quilt Company
3
Coffee with Councilor Charis-Graves
Homesteaders Day at the Clear Creek History Park
Golden Super Cruise
5
Last day to sign up for Be A Tool Neighborhood Rehab Project
7
Bonfils Blood Drive at the Library
TriceraTOTs at Dinosaur Ridge
Trout Unlimited Meeting
8
Spark! at Mines-Politics of Energy
Backyard Bluegrass Series at Columbine Bar
Geology Museum Lecture: A Rock of Consequence
9
Best Herbs & Spices to Fight Inflammation at Earth Sweet Botanicals
God of Carnage opens at Miners Alley
10
Day Out with Thomas – 10th & 11th
Safety & Preparedness Day at the Fire Department
Marketing Your Art – Foothills Art Center
Courthouse Hill Walking Tour – History Center
Spanish Time at the Library
Legend of Sleepy Hollow opens at Miners Alley
Neighborhood Rehab Project
11
Golden author at the Library
MS Hootenanny Fundraiser at the Buffalo Rose
12
Golden Concert Choir Membership Night
13
Railroad Museum Book Club
Golden Beer Talks: 100% Renewable Energy Generation
Jeffco Innovators Workshop – Gunslingers
14
Geology Museum Open House
Rain Barrel Talk with State Rep Jesse Danielson
15
Epic Events – Exhibit Opening for History Museum’s new Timeline Exhibit
Thirsty Thursday at the Mountaineering Museum
Beer Class at Golden City Brewery – Oktoberfest
16
NREL Walking Tour
Ribbing Cutting at GTO Physical Therapy
17
Day Out with Thomas at the Railroad Museum – 17th&18th
Old House Vintage Market in Parfet Park
Golden Choirs Garage Sale
Toby’s Pet Parade at Foothills Animal Shelter
Art Marketing Class at Foothills Art Center
3rd Anniversary – Barrels & Bottles
Golden Oktoberfest
80th Anniversary Campaign Launch and Black & White Night Gala
A celebration of Hops at Cannonball Creek
18
Buffalo Bill’s Western Roundup at Buffalo Bill Museum
Movie vs. Book – Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy at Library
Golden Giddyup / Mountain Bike Festival
19
Gold Rush Walking Tour – Golden History Museum
Family Lab at the Library
In Plein Site Kickoff Exhibition at the Courthouse
20
Colorado Railroad Museum Storytime and Craft
Questions about Medicare at the Library
Book Group at the Library – Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder
22
Sewing 101 Class at The Stitching Factory
23
Golden High School Homecoming Parade and Game
Freaky Friday at the Library
Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening at the Woodhouse Day Spa
Laughs for Love at the Mountaineering Center
24
Social Media for Artists at Foothills Art Center
Raise a Reader at the Library
Make Ahead Meals at Earth Sweet Botanicals
Day Out with Thomas – 24th & 25th
25
SPARK! Alzheimer’s Association event at Foothills Art Center
Golden Gallop
26
STEM Girls at the Library
27
Golden Bike Cruise – 1970s Costumes
29
Community Needle-Free Flu Shot Day
Central City Lecture at the History museum
Ski Season Kickoff Party at the Mountaineering Center
30
Drumline Concert
Free Food Talk on Fiber at Earth Sweet Botanicals

Movies, Music, & Wood Stoves

Movies & Music i the Park 2016

Tonight is the last Movies & Music in the Park for 2016.  The Moses Jones Band will start playing at 7PM and the movie will start at dusk.  They’re showing Star Wars: the Force Awakens tonight–the newish one, with Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and Harrison Ford.  Let’s hope for no rain!  Here’s the forecast.

The Jazz Cats will be playing from 6:30-8:30 at Windy SaddleJazz … unique American art form, key to which is “improvisation,” communication between performers and listeners, give-and-take  between musicians over songs from the Great American Songbook. “The Jazz Cats” swing, playing “mainstream” jazz of the 1950’s.

The Clear Creek History Park is offering one of their wood stove cooking classes tomorrow at 10AM.  These usually sell out, but as of this writing, there are a few slots left!  Buy your ticket now.

Crossing the Centuries Today

cchp2

21st Century
The Farmers Market resumes today, after last week’s Buffalo Bill Days hiatus.  Head down to 10th & Illinois to stock up on all the summer fruits and vegetables!  The Market runs from 8AM-1PM.

19th Century
While you’re down there, cross the footbridge and enjoy Homesteader’s Day at the Clear Creek History Park.  Experience 19th century homesteading, explore the historic cabins, try woodstove cooking, learn about blacksmithing, and take a lesson at the schoolhouse.

20th Century
The Golden Super Cruise will bring lots of classic cars to South Golden Road tonight.  Head to South Golden Road between 5 and 8:30 to enjoy the show!