Serving the community since 1866
VOLUME 158 | ISSUE 38
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
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Goldenites rock out to Dressy Bessy, Beth Evergreen celebrates 50 years ‘Barbie’ at Movies & Music in the Park Jewish synagogue draws diverse group of believers and thinkers from the foothills and beyond
BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Members of the Beth Evergreen synagogue all speak of it in similar tones: With a mix of joy and reverence, and a touch of seeming awe that they have found and become part of such a place. “This is special,” said board member Mike Schneider. “It’s the vibe, the warmth and friendliness, the musical Shabbats.” “For me, there’s a freedom in the spiritual connection,” said Beth Evergreen’s director of operations Sarah Hess. “I feel like I can go directly to my relationship with God here in a way I’ve been searching for my whole life.” “I like the service, I love the rabbi, I love the whole thing,” said Joanne Greenberg, one of Beth Evergreen’s founders. “I had no idea what it would come to be, but it hasn’t disappointed. A lot of us had escaped from rigid Judaism back east, and this is easier but not wimpy. We still practice a lot of the things that are more conventional, but we’re liberal in our doing.” Beth Evergreen celebrated its 50th year in early September. The synagogue is strong and vibrant, say both its members and its 19-year Rabbi Benjamin “Jamie” Arnold. That’s due in part to challenges in the global Jewish community that have bonded the local congregation more tightly, but also to more elusive qualities unique to the Colorado foothills site.
Dressy Bessy singer/guitarist Tammy Ealom, center, and guitarist John Hill play in Parfet Park Sept. 6 at Movies & Music in the Park. Dressy Bessy opened the evening PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN before the City of Golden hosted a screening of “Barbie.”
SEE CELEBRATE, P4
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SCULPTING SOLIDARITY Artists find city collections a safe space P16
It may not be the Malibu beach, but Parfet Park was the perfect place for Goldenites to close out summer with one final Movies & Music in the Park. The annual event in Parfet Park is the first Friday of July through September, and is free to the public. The City of Golden closed out its summertime series Sept. 6 with Denver-based indie rock band Dressy Bessy and “Barbie.” As hundreds of locals packed the park with their blankets and camping chairs, many were rocking pink shirts, hair accessories and other apparel to celebrate “Barbie.” Golden’s Carrie Preister was among them, wearing all pink and carrying a pink umbrella. She met up with friends at the event, saying it’s one of her favorite events of the summer. She loves the live music, the food trucks and the event’s warm, SEE ROCK OUT, P2