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Mayoral Monday, LIT, GURA, and More Random Astor House Observations

Golden Eye Candy – Pete Horneck – Sunset on 9th Street – enlarge

Virtual Events

6-6:55AM Virtual Dynamic Circuit
8:30-9:30AM Virtual Power Training
10-10:55AM All Levels Yoga Virtual
11-11:55AM Find Your Balance
12-12:30PM Mondays with Mayor Weinberg
2-3PM Virtual: Active Minds Monday (most Mondays)
4-4:30PM Kids Martial Arts Class
6-7:30PM Teen Short Story Writing Camp


Real World Events

9:15-9:45AM Toddler Time @ Golden Library
10:15-10:45AM Let’s Dance @ Golden Library
12-4PM Stich’n B*tch @ Golden Quilt Company

5:30-8:30PM LIT: Let’s Ignite Together @ Foothills Art Center
Where local artists meet up monthly in a safe space to unlock and ignite their creativity: creating for the joy of creation, celebrating each others’ unique style, and delighting in their incredible infusion of synergy that happens when a group of creative minds get together.  

$10 cash at the door – (one beer or wine is included in the price of admission) / Free to Open Studio Members This is a 21+ event Register

6-9PM Golden Game Guild Meet-Up Mondays @ Golden Game Guild

6:30PM GURA Board Meeting @ City Hall
The GURA board will discuss a proposed change to their intergovernmental agreement with the City. GURA is a somewhat independent organization. They used to employ their own Executive Director. For about the last ten years, they have relied on a part-time city employee to function in that role. Steve Glueck actually retired from the City, but has continued to work for them on a part time, hourly basis. The assumption is that he will eventually phase out of his many roles with the City. The GURA board was very pleased to have Mr. Glueck as their Executive Director, but they were not as sure that they would necessarily choose to work with some unnamed replacement. They now have a name. Robin Fleischmann, who has assisted Steve with economic development activities, has been promoted and is now the City’s candidate for managing GURA activities. The board will discuss Ms. Fleischmann’s proposed role tonight, as well as the City’s proposal to hire an assistant for Ms. Fleischmann.

They will also discuss the City’s proposal that GURA pay for reducing the number of lanes on West Colfax from two each way to one each way. This is considered to be a precursor to making West Colfax a “complete street,” which means it would offer bike lanes and sidewalks as well as car lanes.


Golden History Moment

The Astor House Over Time, with Architectural Features Coming and Going – Golden History Museum collection – enlarge

Continuing yesterday’s discussion of the Astor House, past, present, and future….

The Astor House has gone through many changes in its 155 year history. As the photos above show, the balcony has come and gone over time. Balcony fans will be glad to hear that it will stay in the upcoming renovation.

Attentive viewers will notice that the roofline changed after the turn of the (19th to 20th) century. Originally, the third floor was a windowless attic. After a 1908 fire burned the roof, the owner used the insurance money to add dormers so she could rent rooms on that third floor. In the next rendition of the building, the third floor will return to its original status as an attic–unused space–because modern building codes would require an elevator if that space were to be used. (There will be an elevator in the new configuration, but it will only go to the second floor.)

Astor House in 1881, with original unpainted stone visible – Golden History Museum Collection – enlarge

I spotted something interesting when I toured the building last week. As you can see in the photo above, the Astor House was built of multi-colored local stone. The stone has been covered by paint for many years, but right now, with much of the plaster removed, some of that colorful stone is visible on interior walls. The original appearance would have been quite different from the pale, monochrome building that we’ve known for many decades.

Original stonework revealed – enlarge

Tomorrow, I’ll share one last quirky little discovery that I made during my tour, and tell you I think it means.

Highlights