EXCHANGE

of those kids land in Jefferson County, but we have space for many more. This is such a wonderful opportunity to make our global community smaller, share your culture, learn about others, expose your children and community to more diversity. There is no downside!

Host families come in all shapes and sizes: empty nesters, single parents, big families with small children, small families with or without children. The only requirements are to

Coming Attractions

Box,” a documentary about e orts to secure land in Palestine. It is just one of the lms that will have an audience discussion afterwards, so viewers can share their thoughts and get more information on the topics the lm delves into.

“I want people who may think a festival like this is not for them to take a chance and have conversations around the lms, the themes and ideas they present, and build a conversation around Jewish culture that is healthy, tolerant and lled with compassion,” Cowden said. “I really believe in the power of art to build bridges where everyone is trying to build walls. ese lms then become a conduit for connection between people, and that’s ultimately why we do this.”

To learn more about the lms and purchase tickets, visit https://dj . eventive.org/welcome.

Spring into a new season with the LSO e Lakewood Symphony Orchestra is welcoming spring with the latest entry in its Season of Favorites with a performance of some beautiful music. e performance will be at 7:30 p.m. on ursday, March 9 at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway.

Some of the music the symphony will be performing include Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Coronation March,” followed by music from the ballet “Coppélia,” a story that predates Pinnochio by 13 years but follows a similar storyline. e show will also feature Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2 in D major.”

For more information and tickets, visit www.lakewoodsymphony.org. Pictures worth more than a thousand words at MOP Denver e Month of Photography

Denver, which runs through Friday, March 31, allows the work of photographers of all skill levels and interests the opportunity to showcase their talents. e biennial event is celebrated by galleries and arts organizations all over the state be at least 25 years of age, have a bed for the student that is not convertible in nature (they can share a room with a same sex sibling), be able to provide three meals a day and a willingness to open your heart and home to an exchange student.

Please visit https://efexchangeyear.org/iec/kacey-narracci/ for more information and to see some of the terrific kids who hope to find a host family for the 2023-24 school year.

Kacey Narracci is the regional coordinator of EF High School Exchange Year. Kacey can be reached at kacey.narracci@efexchangeyear.org or 720-331-4556.

One of the most inspiring events in this year’s lineup is the free Night Lights Denver, which will be held at the Daniels & Fisher Clocktower, 1601 Arapahoe St. in Denver. e Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC) will be digitally projecting images on the building to celebrate the month. For a full list of events and participating locations, visit https://denvermop.org/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The Lagoons at the Bluebird Theater

Sometimes you just need something smooth to get you through the day. e music multi-instrumentalist brothers Ryan and Joey Selan make as e Lagoons ful ll the brief beautifully. Over their three EPs and two albums (including last year’s “Daybreak”), the duo has ne-tuned a vibey electronic take on yacht and surf rock that can just carry you away to somewhere warmer if you let it.

In support of the record, e Lagoons will be stopping by the Bluebird eater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15. ey’ll be joined by opener Jelly Ellington. Get tickets at www.bluebirdtheater.net.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.

April 26, 1935 - October 7, 2022

Patricia Yingst passed away peacefully at her home in Golden, Colorado on October 7, 2022. She was 87 years old. Pat was born on April 26, 1935 to Evelyn and Parke Orlando Yingst. As a child, Pat learned to ride horseback and play the piano, things that she excelled at throughout her life. She lived in Venezuela with her family for a time. She attended Golden High School and Colorado State University where she earned an Associate Degree in Administrative Management in 1957. She earned a Master’s Degree at DU University College. As an Applied Chemistry Alumna, she created the Patricia A. Yingst Scholarship for the College of Natural Sciences at CSU in memory of her parents. She went to Greece with her mother on a Museum of Natural History tour in the 80’s. While in Europe for a 14 month visit, she worked as a guide in the U.S. Pavilion at the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels, representing Colorado. While traveling, Pat took many photographs which she enjoyed sharing with friends.

Pat was married for seven years to Laurence Cobrough. She worked for Coors Porcelain Company in their Research Department from 1959 to1972, then for COBE Laboratories in Lakewood as Administrative Assistant to the President. At COBE she was responsible for the employee newsletter. She was a talented writer, including poetry, some of which was shared at her Celebration of Life at the Je erson Unitarian Church in Golden on February 2, 2023. Pat enjoyed classical music, including opera, and valued learning, most recently at Olli West where she took a variety of classes. She loved discussing the topics of the day over lunch with friends.

After retiring in 1996, she worked at many volunteer jobs. At Foothills Art Center, in Golden, she created a history of its exhibits and activities since its founding in 1968. She volunteered at and supported the Je erson Symphony Orchestra. She was a 50 year plus member of Colorado Mountain Club and a devoted volunteer there. As a C hiker and trip leader, she was often at the front of the group, but would stop to share the scienti c names of plants with fellow hikers. She compiled an index for the Club’s publication Trail and Timberline. Pat contributed to Treasure Chest, a thrift store which helps provide safe housing for abused women. In 2021 she was named Person of the Year by Girls, Inc., an organization focusing on the development of the whole girl and advocating for legislation and policies that increase opportunities for girls.

Pat will be missed by all who knew her. She had a curious mind and a big heart. Donations may be sent to Friends of Man or Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.

August 21, 1929 - February 26, 2023

Chester Howard Carr, born in Golden, CO on August 21, 1929, passed away peacefully at home on February 26th, 2023 at age 93. He is survived by devoted wife, Eula Mae (Hunt) Carr and Sister Loana Schraeder, sons Terry/wife Lori, Ted /wife Janet and Toby/wife Julie; His grandchildren Luke, Christopher, Sarah, Lyndsay, Mandy, Eric, and Lisa; 13 great-grandchildren and 2 gg-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Howard was a proud patriot of the US Navy and Veteran of Korea. He was a dedicated employee of Mountain Bell for 32 years, a volunteer re ghter, chief of the Fairmount Fire Department and owner of Emerald Valley Hog Farm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the celebration of life on Saturday, March 18th, 2023 at Fairmount Bible Church 15100 W. 48th Ave. Golden. Service will be held at 11:00 AM followed by a luncheon at 12 NOON.

In lieu of owers, donations may be made in Howard’s memory to the Fairmount Bible Church.

Make-A-Wish Colorado alumni, volunteers celebrate its 40th anniversary

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

2023 has already been a big year for Make-A-Wish.

Wish Week fundraisers have been in full swing at local schools this winter, and basketball legend Michael Jordan donated $10 million — the largest individual donation ever — to the national organization last month. And spring 2023 could be even bigger.

Make-A-Wish Colorado celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and is hosting an anniversary celebration and fundraiser in April in Denver. Since it started, Make-A-Wish Colorado has granted more than 6,000 wishes for children with critical illnesses as a way of giving them hope and something to look forward to during their treatment.

Golden’s Ben Bontrager, 10, went to Hawaii for his wish last spring. He was diagnosed in early 2020 with Burkitt’s lymphoma and was sick for almost a year, with his mom Sarah saying, “We almost lost him a couple times.”

Ben, who’s now in remission, said going to Hawaii was “the rst thing idea that popped in my head,” because he wanted to get out and do something fun.

“I was sick of being home,” he continued.

Now, Ben and his family are becoming Make-A-Wish ambassadors so that they can help other families through the same process.

Dad Je Bontrager said Ben’s wish was a “bright spot” to think about during those long days at the hospital, adding, “ e thought that (MakeA-Wish) has done it over and over for people, it’s really pretty amazing.”

For Jennifer

Joan Mazak has been the proverbial fairy godmother for thousands of Colorado children after she founded the organization in 1983. She started it in honor of her daughter, Jennifer, who died at 7 years old of a liver disease.

Mazak recalled how, about a week before Jennifer’s death, she was granted an uno cial wish to meet local radio mascot KIMN Chicken. He stopped by the family’s house, walking around the entire property hand-in-hand with Jennifer. Many of the neighborhood children stopped by to see KIMN Chicken, but he was focused on making Jennifer feel special.

“It was great for her to be able to have that,” Mazak said.

After Jennifer’s death, Mazak used funds that people had raised for a liver donation to start Make-A-Wish

Colorado. ere were only three other chapters in the country and no national organization yet, she said. e local chapter was all volunteers working out of their homes, helping to create memories for children who needed them. Mazak said the very rst wish was to catch a sh, so they set up a shing trip at Dillon Reservoir.

Longtime volunteer Gary Aboussie recalled wishes to meet the pope and the Broncos. One of his favorite stories was sending a guitar to Bruce Springsteen to sign, him keeping that one, and sending back his own guitar instead with a special message. Mazak said of wishes: “ ey come in all shapes and sizes. ere are so many logistics to putting together a single wish. It’s di erent for every single family.”