“Lights, camera, action!” in Central City

Central City visitors had to wonder if they were in the Gilpin County gaming town or Hollywood recently when it was lights, camera, action on the streets of the historic mining town.

Reportedly heads snapped during sightings of the camera crew. Could George Clooney be far behind?

Apparently Clooney had a previous commitment, but the crew’s fearless leader Joe Behm, aka president of the Central City Business Improvement District, reworked the part.

The highly anticipated video (not too late for an Academy Award write-in nomination) was expected to debut on Central’s Free Ride shuttles at the end of last month. The project was financed by city funds collected from the casinos. True Blue Media, a Denver-based video production and public relations company, handled the one-day shoot and editing process.

This sequel to Central City I features more scenes from each of the town’s casinos, the newly reconstructed Main Street, the city at night as well as nearby sights such as Nevadaville, a mining-era ghost town.

“Guests can ride in comfort and be quickly dropped off in front of or near their next destination,” Behm said about the shuttle system that runs gamblers between Central and Black Hawk. “And, to the delight of the adventurer wanting to know more about the little kingdom of Gilpin, Central City’s Free Ride shuttles feature a 10-minute travelogue complete with history lesson and spectacular scenes from around the area.”

The glimpse of area attractions includes historic cemeteries, churches, the opera house and the Gilpin History Museum.

The Rocky Mountain Rollergirls and Central’s past PR maven Meghan Dougherty provided camera-worthy talent.

“I’ve always loved Central City, and I’ve had some great times up there since working for Fortune Valley (now Reserve), launching Amendment 50, and planning a summer’s worth of city events,” Dougherty said. “So, when I was offered the chance to star in a production about gambling, eating, entertainment and, of course, partying, I jumped on it.”

Coffee, tea and three? Mountain Mocha Coffee shop, owned by Gilpin County residents Peter Dionne Jr. and Jessica Dionne will move into 135 Clear Creek St., a building owned by the City of Black Hawk.

The town’s aldermen have approved a three-year lease on the 720-square-foot shop space.

Grand old flag. The 80-foot Liberty Pole, originally created by Black Hawk denizens in 1890, will be reborn as a replica that will fly a 15-by-25-foot American flag.

Mayor David Spellman discovered the existence of the original flag pole in the archives of the Weekly Register-Call. It was apparently removed in the 1930s to make room for Highway 119.

The new pole is slated to be up in May or June.

Ameristar’s accolade. AAA, the auto club, released its 2012 four-diamond lodgings and restaurants ratings recently, and a host of hotels and eateries made the coveted cut.

In Colorado’s gaming country, the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk made the list. Ameristar was a newbie to the AAA ratings rank.