Good morning, Golden & the Front Range! Did you know that in 1915, a guy named Patrick Harmon walked backwards through Colorado? More in the first segment.

Several new subscribers have joined (Welcome! 👋 So happy you’re here!), and this issue is particularly long so let’s get to it!

In today’s issue:

• 🚶 Retro-Walking Is the New Cross-Training

• 🎭️ Summer Camp at Miner’s Alley (& More)

• 💘 Did Somebody Say Galentine’s?!

• 📆 Upcoming Events

• 🎵 Live Music

• 🔎 Around Golden: The Subterranean School of Rock (& Science)

Weather Forecast

Oh, and totally worth mentioning…a high of 60 on Sunday & 65 on Monday!! 🙌

🚶 Retro-Walking Is the New Cross-Training

Colorado athletes, take note: walking backwards (i.e. retro-walking) is the new cross-training.

Retro-walking looks questionable, but it’s a powerhouse for your ankles, hamstrings, and even your brain. Research shows it’s great for knee recovery, spine health, and improving reaction time (hello, agility training). Plus, it burns more calories, so you can justify that post-hike beer. 🍺

Retro-walking has a surprisingly rich and quirky history, with Patrick Harmon’s 1915 backward trek from San Francisco to New York stealing the show. On a $20,000 bet (in today’s money), this cigar-shop owner walked 3,900 miles in reverse, using a chest-mounted car mirror to navigate. Harmon claimed his ankles became so strong that “it would take a sledgehammer blow to sprain them.” 🤯

Say hi next time you see me retro-prancercising through Golden! 👋 

Source: BBC

🎭️ Summer Camp at Miner’s Alley (& More)

Another Summer Camp Registration is open! Miner’s Ally opened up their Youth (1st-6th grade) & Teen (ages 13-18) programs. Check out their classes below:

For a list of other summer camp registration openings, check out the article titled “👪 Summer Camp Registration” in the 👉 January 10 issue of The Golden Goose.

💘 Did Somebody Say Galentine’s?!

The holiday of love isn’t just for lovers—though there’s plenty in this list for lovers too!

Celebrate that bestie, gal pal, or even enemy-turning-friend (or enemy-turning-lover?! Any Fourth Wing fans out there?) with gifts and events here in Golden!

Food & Drink:

• 🫖 Babe’s Tea Room Valentines Day Afternoon Tea (2/1-2/17) - Book a special Valentine’s Day themed tea.

• 🍫 Valentine’s Day Beer & Chocolate Pairing at New Terrain (2/13-2/15 @ 12-9pm) - “We have joined up with the Master Chocolatiers at Piece, Love & Chocolate to showcase 5 of our brews with 5 perfectly crafted truffles.” Tickets are $33.29 with fees. Get your tickets ➡️ here then come in at any time on any of those 3 days to claim your pairing.

• 🍽️ Dinner at Footprints at Fossil Trace (2/14 & 2/15) - Admittedly, I’ve not thought much about the golf course in Golden, let alone its restaurant, but I’m thinking twice about it this Vday. $50 for a 3 course meal. Make you rezi today!

Activity:

• 💐 Gluten Free Galentine’s Event at Holidaily (2/13 @ 6pm) - Build your own bouquet with The Flower Shack, decorate gluten free cupcakes from Golden Mine Cupcakes, sip your favorite Holidaily beer or beverage, and snack on chocolate covered strawberries and a charcuterie board. What a night! Make sure to register ➡️ here. Tickets are $65.

• 👯‍♀️ Galentine’s Night with Parent Run Club (2/12 @ 6-7:30pm) - “Dr. Jessie and Dr. Renee from Golden Pelvic Health will dive into all things pelvic health, addressing common pain points and intimacy tips that every woman should know. It's the perfect opportunity to enhance your well-being while enjoying some fabulous shopping, massages by Native Skincare and Massage, facials by Golden Laser Aesthetics, and fun swag bags! 🛍️ Grab your ticket for just $20, which includes a $25 shopping credit to Alyth!” Buy your tickets ➡️ here.

• 🧘‍♀️ Valentine’s Day Partner Yoga & Cacao at Pranatonic (2/14 @ 5:30-7pm) - “Bring a romantic partner or a close friend! This LGBTQ+ friendly event is open to all, offering a welcoming environment for everyone to share the joy of meaningful connection.” $45 per person or $80 for you & a friend! You can register ➡️ here.

• 🦖 Date Night Craft & Sip at the Museum (2/15 @ 6-8pm) - “Join us for a delightful experience where you’ll create your very own geode resin and crystal charcuterie board while sipping delicious drinks and enjoying the museum's exhibits after-hours. $75 per person, which includes one drink and a beautifully crafted board. With spots in high demand, we kindly urge you to secure your place in advance by calling 303.273.3815.” Located at Mines Museum of Earth Sciences (1310 Maple St, Golden, CO).

Entertainment:

• 🤣 Valentine’s Day Comedy Show at Gnarly’s Theater (2/14 @ 7:30-9:30pm) - Laugh it up on Valentine’s Day at Golden’s new comedy theater. Tickets are $25.

• 🎭 Love Letters at Miner’s Alley (2/14 & 2/15 @ 7:30pm) - “Valentine’s Weekend Only! Love Letters is an intimate and touching play that traces the lifelong relationship between two friends through their written correspondence, revealing the power of words and the deep connection that endures across time.” Book your tickets ➡️ here.

• 🤣 Galentine's Day! All female Comedy show at Gnarly’s Theater (2/15 @ 7:30-9:30pm) - Checkout this all female list of comedians. Tickets are $20.

Gifts:

1. ☕️ Cafe13 & Rich Roots Flower Co - One drink or pastry + a stunning dried bouquet. Preorders launch soon. Available 2/12-2/14.

2. 🛍️ Valentine’s Day Market at Cannonball Creek Brewing (2/1 @ 12-4pm) - Sip, shop, and listen to live music.

3. ✨ Valentine’s Day Tins from the Golden Rock Shop - Toxic Situationship, Lust for Life, How to Be a Heartbraker, The Kiss of Venus, Heart on Your Sleeve…these ❤️-shaped tins are filled with all sorts of ✨goodies✨!

4. 💖 Cards and gifts at Marry Grams - A great source for fun, unique cards and gifts.

5. 🥃 WhiskeyGrams from State 38 Distilling - Each WhiskeyGram includes a 4-pack of mini Gold Mine cupcakes plus a Bourbon, Rye, Wheat, OR Peat Smoked Whiskey (prices vary), and a personalized love note.

6. 💐 Get 10% off with a Flowers Pre-order at Middlemist Floral Design (code: VDAY10; expires 2/3)

7. 🧁 Goldmine Cupcakes - Cupcakes, mini cupcakes, cakes…buy a sweet treat for your sweetie pie.

8. 🎟️ Tina Fey & Amy Poehler Red Rocks Tickets for May 1 - New show goes on sale TOMORROW, Friday, Jan. 31 at 10am MT! Wanna to be a real hero? Get ya girl tickets to this “femininomenon.”

📆 Upcoming Events

Happening today & this weekend:

• 🤓 Golden Startup Happy Hour at Morris & Mae Collective (1/30 @ 4-6pm) - “Whether you're a presenter, attendee, or just looking to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, this is your chance to unwind, network, and spark new opportunities. Cheers to big ideas and even bigger connections!”

• 🏂️ Ski & Board Tune on Tap at Colorado Tap House (1/30 @ 5-7pm) - Get a wax, edge, and a beer for $30. Plus…Thursday Special: $5 pints of Great Divide beers and special guest Golden Mountain Guides with info on winter programs & avalanche classes.

• 👗 Truly Boutique’s 10th Anniversary Party (1/30 @ 5-9pm) - “Come dressed up in your Truly best, shop, sip, and dance the night away with us to celebrate 10 years of business in our amazing community. Catered by Kona Bowls. Live DJ, champagne bar, henna artist, door prizes and more!”

• ⚔️ UllrGrass Festival (1/31, 2/1, 2/2) - Named as one of the Top 10 Outdoor Festivals in the state of Colorado by Westword, this 3-day festival in Parfet Park has music 🎵, beer 🍺, costumes 🛡️, and more. Get your tickets ➡️ here.

• 🎷The Jefferson Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert: Poetry & Music (2/1 @ 3-4:30pm) - Featuring “talented principal French horn Alicia Watson, who will be performing Hindemith's virtuosic Horn Concerto.” Get tickets ➡️ here.

• 🇪🇸 Spanish Wine Dinner at Abejas (2/2) - “This celebration of Spanish wine and cuisine features Pintxos, Seared Octopus, Bacalao Ajoarriero, and Basque Cheesecake paired with sips from this region rich with history.” Reserve your ticket ($135 each) ➡️ here.

Upcoming Events:

• 🏋️ FREE Trailhead CrossFit Friends & Family Week (2/3-2/9) - Looking to try out CrossFit? Reach out to the contact in the link!

• 🧘 FREE Peace, Love & Yoga at Unite Fitness (2/7 @ 5:30-7pm) - “All-levels practice with optional extra hands-on assist. Bring a yoga mat and any yoga props. 60-minute practice then join for community and local treats afterwards!
  Invite your friends to join too!” Be sure to register ➡️ here.

• 🐕️ Goldens in Golden (2/8) - Get excited! This Goose🪿 will send out a guide on Monday to all the free pup cups and Paw-ties next week!

• ☕️ Golden Startup Coffee (2/12 @ 9-11am) - Lightning Pitches from three early-stage concept startups at Morris & Mae Collective. Checkout these pitches on plastics recycling, data center power delivery, and machine learning for solar power plants. Registration suggested.

• 🥳 Holidaily Brewing’s 9 Year Anniversary Party (2/15 @ 11am-10pm) - Three food trucks, one bakery, special bear releases, and more!

🎵 Live Music

• 1/30 @ 6pm, New Terrain Brewing - Mighty Holler Feat. Members of Brandywine & The Mighty Fines and Elle Michelle's Grateful Holler

• 1/31 @ 5pm, The Golden Mill - Shawn Eckels

• 1/31 @ 6pm, Goosetown Station - Hunter Stone Duo

• 1/31 @ 7pm, The Buffalo Rose - Tribute to Michael Jackson

• 2/1 @ 6pm, Goosetown Station - Shawn Nelson Music

🔎 Around Golden: The Subterranean School of Rock (& Science)

Underground laboratories aren’t just for evil villains. 🦹 Colorado School of Mine’s Edgar Experimental Mine is a playground for future engineers. Technically it’s in Idaho Springs and was a bustling silver and gold mine in the 1870s. In 1921, the school leased the mine for training purposes and has since transformed it into a hands-on classroom. It’s like a science lab, but with more dynamite.

Beyond teaching tomorrow’s mining experts, Edgar is a hub for cutting-edge research and industrial training. It has played host to numerous groups, from the U.S. Army to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), testing tunnel detection, rock mechanics, and the development of new mining technology.

And it can host you too! One hour tours are available ($25 for adults & $15 for kiddos) by appointment only.

Source: Colorado School of Mines

THANKS!

Thanks for reading The Golden Goose 🪿 today! If you found something useful, please share it with a special Galentine…or with your significant other as a not-so-subtle reminder to buy a V-day card. 😉