Public Health References
CDC * Colorado * Jefferson County * City of Golden
JCPHD updates these numbers Monday through Friday at about 3 PM. Here’s the most recent Coronavirus report from Jeffco Public Health’s Case Summary Page:
Cases in Jeffco – Weds: 488| Thurs: 4901
Deaths in Jeffco – Weds: 238 | Thurs: 241
Ever Hospitalized in Jeffco – Weds: 532 | Thurs: 531 (currently 15)
Recovered – Weds: 4361 | Thurs: 4391
Known Cases in Golden – Weds: 174 | Thurs: 174
The School of Mines has its own COVID-19 case page. According to Jeffco Public Health, any cases from the School of Mines will be included in the stats of the county in which the individual resides.
“At Shelton Elementary, 18 people have been told to quarantine. That includes a student cohort of five, seven staff members, two bus drivers, two bus aides, and two siblings.” Learn more….
Clear Creek is closed. Masks are required. City and County fire restrictions are in place.
Movies & Music in the Parking Lot
Tickets for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off will be available at 8AM this morning. This is the last movie for the year, and the first one sold out within hours, so if you want to attend, reserve your tickets now.
Virtual Golden
6-6:55AM Virtual HIIT
9-10AM Virtual Power Training
Real Life Golden
8-9AM Morning Start: An Artist Coffee Meetup with Andi Burnum
11AM-12PM Yoga on Tap at New Terrain Brewing
1-2PM Friday Tour and Train Rides at the Colorado Railroad Museum
Live Music:
5-8PM The Alcapones at Coda Brewing
6PM Edsel’s Garage at Wrigley’s
7:30PM Sons of Genesis (Genesis Tribute) at Buffalo Rose
Golden History Moment
The “M” on Mount Zion was built, with little fanfare, in 1908.
“Taking advantage of the holiday last Friday, School of Mines students placed a mammoth “M” near the summit of Mount Zion. It is constructed of rocks which were whitewashed after being placed, and is 100 by 80 feet. It is easily distinguishable with the naked eye from many points in Denver.”
Colorado Transcript, May 21, 1908
The following year, the class of 1912 added a “12” next to the giant M. Apparently the class of 1911 found that offensive, and they used dynamite to blast away the 12. After that, the incoming freshmen contented themselves with refreshing the whitewash on the M each year.
Within a few years, the M was regarded as “historic,” and an indispensable symbol of the school.
In 1931, an attempt was made to blow up the M. Fortunately, it was an amateur job, and only a small section was harmed. The damaged was allegedly done by football rivals from Denver University.
Later that year, electric lights were added so that the M would shine by night as well as by day. Many local businesses and community members contributed to the cost of the electrical work. When the permanent wiring was ready, the Governor came to ceremonially flip the switch.
It wasn’t until 1932 that anyone thought to check the ownership of the land under the M. They learned that it belonged to Ernest Ramstetter, but he readily agreed to sell them the acre of ground under the M.
In 2008, the incandescent bulbs were replaced by L.E.D.s.
On special occasions, the Blue Key Honor Society, which has charge of the the M, will often change the bulbs to turn the M into another shape (such as a jack-o-lantern on Halloween). At other times, they’ll change the color of the M–often to red at Christmas or on Valentine’s Day.
