On the eve of the Super Bowl, alert “06880″ reader Kelly Crisp snapped this photo of a sign at Stop & Shop:
She notes: “Unfortunately, it seems the manager is a Giants fan — while at least some of his customers like the Pats.”
Enjoy the game. May the best team Patriots win!
Posted in Local business, Sports, Totally random
For Giants fans, this year’s Super Bowl is utopia. (Pats fans too. But this post is about the local New York New Jersey squad.)
Yet unless you’re a Tisch or a Mara, chances are your connection with your favorite team is a bit removed.
You’ll watch the big game on a big screen in your big, climate-controlled entertainment center.
You might wear NFL-branded logowear, bought at NFL-licensed retailers at NFL-mandated prices.
You may have gone to actual games at the new Xanadu-like stadium, where you paid usurious prices to sit in the stands, or enjoyed the expense account amenities of a corporate suite.
But the chances of actually getting near — let alone saying “Great game!” — to Eli Manning, Osi Umenyiora or even Prince Amukamara are about as good as Tim Tebow dissing God for favoring Tom Brady the other day.
It was not always that way.
Back in the mid-’60s, the Giants — like the rest of the NFL — were far less corporate. Sure, they were bigger than you and me (especially me), but they did actual human-being things.
Like pre-season training at Fairfield University.
That’s right. Every summer from 1961-69, the Giants ran their drills a mile or two up the road. Anyone could wander over and watch, standing almost on the sidelines. You’d mingle with the players and coaches as they walked back to campus, through the woods.
Occasionally you’d see them in town, at restaurants like the Arrow. And local watering holes — the less expensive, the better.
Y.A. Tittle, Frank Gifford, Del Shofner, Sam Huff, Stamford’s own Andy Robustelli — from September through June, they were the “New York Giants.”
But for a few weeks every mid-summer, they were our own.
That was super.
Posted in Restaurants, Sports
Tagged Andy Robustelli, Del Shofner, New York Giants, Sam Huff, Super Bowl
Nineteen years ago, Paul Green was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
His 1st reaction was to fight back.
His 2nd was to figure out how.
His 3rd was to apply what he’d learned: that movement like exercise and dance can slow the progression of that torturous disease.
Last night at the Saugatuck Rowing Club, Paul — 88 years young — was the star attraction. A video highlighting his avid, ongoing work was shown. It serves 2 purposes: educating Parkinson’s patients about the benefits of exercise, and raising funds for a foundation Paul started.
Paul Green, hard at work at the Saugatuck Rowing Club.
The non-profit is called Nevah Surrendah to Parkinson’s. The name honors Paul’s always-optimistic attitude — and pays homage to his hero Winston Churchill’s legendary exhortation. (And his accent. Paul also pronounces it “nevah surrendah” — he’s from Boston.)
The site was perfect. Rowing is one of the many activities that keeps Paul’s Parkinson’s in check. The Saugatuck club has been his home away from his Old Mill home for years.
The rowing community is a close and very friendly one. Paul is one of its true idols — and a real favorite. (Particularly with the ladies.)
Last summer, the Saugatuck Rowing Club was the site of another tribute to Paul, and his Nevah Surrendah foundation. Scenes from that event — and a July dance-and-exercise session at the Senior Center — have been incorporated into the compelling video that premiered last night.
Paul Green, keeping active in the boathouse he loves.
The video begins with scenes of reggae artist Mystic Bowie and Zumba instructor Eddie Calle leading at the Senior Center. The music is infectious; the smiles are heartfelt, and the scenes of older men and women — some with caretakers, others with grandchildren — moving slowly but rhythmically to the sounds of ska are inspiring.
Paul hopes that the video will show others with Parkinson’s — or any movement disorder — how to exercise for improved balance, a positive attitude and a healthy lifestyle.
Interviews with Paul’s neurologist, Dr. Amy Knoor; his physical therapist, Tara Maroney and his chiropractor Dr. Joshua Lander prove that Paul has not only nevah surrendahed — he’s thrived.
And as he’s done for nearly 2 decades, he’s helping others thrive.
“Paul is such an inspiration,” one of the rowers interviewed on the video says. “We think we’re working hard. Then we see him out on the water — with such a smile on his face!”
The same smile he wore all last night, as he greeted and danced his way through a throng of family members, friends and fans.
(Click here for more information on the Nevah Surrendah foundation — and to view the Paul Green video.)
Paul Green and his son Peter.
Kyle Martino is everywhere.
Kyle Martino and Eva Amurri. (Photo: Jeff Vespa/Wire Images via ESPN Page 2)
The 1999 Staples graduate’s October wedding to actress Eva Amurri – Susan Sarandon’s daughter — was covered by People Magazine (in a story written by, of all people, Kyle’s classmate Jen Garcia).
Last week, as an ESPN2 analyst covering the Major League Soccer college draft, the former national team player gave a shout-out to Staples soccer. He told a national TV audience how much he enjoyed the camaraderie with his teammates, and hearing the cheers of the large crowds on the Loeffler Field hill.
In between, Kyle served as a cupcake judge.
Last Sunday, the Food Network featured him in an episode of Cupcake Wars. (Never seen the show? Each week 4 of the country’s top bakers face off in elimination challenges. The sweet prize: $10,000, and the opportunity to showcase their cupcakes at the winning gig.)
In Kyle’s episode, the winner took cupcakes to the Major League Soccer championship game in Los Angeles.
Kyle — one of the league’s most popular players during his career with the Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy (where his teammate was the even more popular David Beckham) — told ESPN Page 2:
I probably ate 5 entire cupcakes. Each cupcake was like a 3-course meal. Hey, if I had stayed off sweets, I probably would still be playing soccer.
I was blessed with a good metabolism. Younger, I was running 8 miles a day and still able to eat a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. But that was then. These days, I might be the only ex-professional athlete who gets winded going up the stairs.
Posted in Entertainment, People, Sports, Staples HS
Tagged Cupcake Wars, David Beckham, ESPN2, Food Network, Kyle Martino
DJ Sixsmith is going places.
He won several national sportscasting awards at Staples’ WWPT-FM. And though he just completed his first semester at Fordham University, DJ is is quickly climbing the legendary WFUV ladder. He’s already broadcasting Ram athletic contests.
He’s on track to be the next Jim Nantz. In fact, the CBS star — a Westporter — has been very generous with his time and attention to DJ.
DJ is quick to thank his mentors — and benefactors like the Connecticut Broadcasters Association. He’s so appreciative of the scholarship the CBA gave him, he recorded a promo for them.
It’s being heard all over the state. In it DJ describes the importance of the scholarship to him, and urges future broadcasters to apply for their own grant.
DJ hasn’t hit the big time yet (oh, he will). Already, though, he’s paying it forward.
Posted in People, Sports, Staples HS
Tagged Connecticut Broadcasters Association, DJ Sixsmith, Jim Nantz, WFUV, WWPT-FM
Twelve women have been nominated for the title of “World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year.” Sure, it’s a specialized list — but right there, alongside people like Diana Nyad and her Serene Highness the Princess of Monaco, stands Westport’s own Liz Fry.
According to OpenWaterSwimming.com — which runs this much-more-important-than-the-Iowa-cauceses contest — Liz is
a 52-year-old financial services consultant who could not just swim things once in 2011. She first set the double crossing record in the 35-mile Ederle Swim from Manhattan Island to New Jersey – and back – in June.
Liz Fry in action. (Photo/Kevin Hagan for the Daily News of Open Water Swimming)
Finishing in 11 hours and 5 minutes, she set the standard for both men and women, young and old. Elizabeth then got busy directing the 25K Swim Across The Sound before she headed off to the English Channel where she stepped up on her third attempt to complete the two-way crossing of the iconic channel.
With an intense focus where she zones out and swims at an average of 64 strokes per minute, Elizabeth became the oldest person to complete the 42-mile double crossing in 24 hours and 39 minutes, negative-splitting her swim. Not finished yet, she ended her 2011 season with a 13 hour and 25 minute 25-mile crossing from Vermont, USA to Québec, Canada.
Oh, yeah. She’s also competed in 10 marathons. As in, run them on dry land.
According to Reina Sauer, who sent along this info:
Liz Fry, out of the water.
Liz is not just a talented, dedicated swimmer, she is an example of human kindness. For example, in the midst of a workout, she will get out and help you. If you need goggles for a race, she will take them off her head and give them to you, even if it compromises her swim (though it won’t). Liz gives to all.
We marvel at Liz’s swimming accomplishments. Who wouldn’t? However, we marvel more at how she stays balanced, humble, and never lets her swims get in the way of being there for others. Somehow Liz fits it all in and you would never know. We love and respect Liz’s giggles, commitment, perseverance and kindness.
The qualifications of the other women don’t matter, because the winner is selected by popular vote. “06880″ urges every reader to support our fellow Westporter.(Besides, Diana Nyad’s won enough awards.)
Voting closes Saturday (December 31), so act quickly — just like Liz does. It’s easy: Click here to vote.
(Not convinced yet? Check out the YouTube video below!)
It’s not often a kid can whip balls at a cop’s head — and get away with it.
And vice versa.
But last night in the Staples fieldhouse, 100 teenagers and a dozen Westport police officers did just that.
The event was Dodge-a-Cop — the Westport Youth Commission‘s 1st-ever dodgeball tournament. It’s hard to tell who had more fun: the guys (and gals) with guns, or the kids who run from them.
Actually, that was the whole idea: getting police and teenagers to interact somewhere other than at a traffic stop or house party.
A small part of the large "Dodge a Cop" crowd. The police wore tie-dyes.
The Youth Commission — whose 15 teenage and 15 adult members include police officers Ned Batlin and Sereneti Dobson — and Staples’ Teen Awareness Group have been examining ways to help teenagers see cops as human beings who care about kids. And ways to help Westport policemen and women — most of whom do not live in town — see teenagers as more than just stereotypes too.
Police officer Ned Batlin proudly poses with players.
Staples dodgeball players — who came from a broad swath of the student body — formed their own teams. At least one officer joined each team.
The only qualifications to play: an arm. Guts. And $20 per team.
Because Dodge-a-Cop also served as a fundraiser — for the Toys for Tots drive, the Westport Police Department’s annual collection.
It was a great evening. Competitive dodgeball was played. Funds were raised. Pizza was eaten. Cops and kids hung out together. No one got arrested.
And the winners got t-shirts.
Which said: “I Dodged a Cop.”
Four members of the Goons Inc. team (from left): Guerric Vornle von Haagenfels, Jack Dobrich, Thomas Cirillo and Colin Davis.
Police officers Howie Simpson and Eric Woods take time out from their warmup throws.
Isaac Stein is all business before the tournament.
Posted in Organizations, Police, Sports, Staples HS, Teenagers
Tagged Dodgeball, Westport Police Department, Westport Youth Commission
In the hard-hitting world of criminal defense lawyers, Joe Tacopina hits harder than almost anyone.
His website pulls no punches.
“Mr. Tacopina is to the defense bar what Donald Trump is to real estate,” reads a what-the-hell-does-that-mean? quote from the New York Times.
“That guy works magic. He is the real deal. He’s not to be messed with,” burbles Imus.
And this, from GQ:
Suspected of murdering that blond girl in Aruba? Having some problems with your appointment as homeland-security chief? Made the mistake of having sex with Christie Brinkley’s husband? Call Joe Tacopina, the best-dressed, smoothest-talking, hardest-working criminal-defense attorney going…
Joe Tacopina (Photo/Nancy Siesel for the New York Times)
Last June Tacopina — a Westporter and the father of 5 children, including a soon-to-be Staples graduate — gave the parent speech at baccalaureate. He described his rags-to-riches life, including an anecdote about working so hard for so little money early in his career that he took on a 2nd job: checking coats at Longshore. (The worst part: seeing other attorneys there — or clients.)
Now Tacopina is following the lead of the latest trend: what the Times calls “American moneymen” buying world-famous soccer teams. The list includes Malcolm Glazer (Manchester United) and Randy Lerner (Aston Villa).
Tacopina is part of a group that in August bought 60% of legendary Italian club A.S. Roma. The club is valued at $400 million.
According to a story in yesterday’s Times, Tacopina has a “life-long obsession” with Roma. Seven years ago, watching a match, he had an epiphany.
The scoreboard didn’t work; I wanted to buy my children some jerseys, but there were none on sale; and it was dirty,” he said. “I started writing notes to myself on a napkin that had been around a flatbread sandwich. Why not find a group to buy it?
Tacopina is now vice president of the club. He’s helped overhaul the team, adding youthful players to the mix of veterans that includes big names like Francesco Totti.
According to the Times,
the club’s new owners believe Roma is well positioned to emerge as the next big global brand in soccer. It is a club located at a unique intersection of global culture. The ownership’s idea is to increase revenue by investing in players who deliver results on the field that further increase revenue.
Part of the plan is a proposal for a new stadium, tied to Italy’s intention to bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics, to replace the crumbling, fan-unfriendly Estadio Olimpico, where a running track keeps the fans far from the action and another team, Lazio, shares the facility.
Tacopina is well positioned to help bring back Roma’s glory years. His father — who died last week at 94 — emigrated to the US from Rome. The club’s fans have displayed a banner that says: “Tacopina Uno di Noi, Grazie Joe“– Thanks, Joe. You’re one of us!
As a Westporter, I’m excited that one of us has taken a big step onto the international soccer stage.
As the Staples soccer coach, I’d be even more excited if he brings a 17-year-old player from Roma’s youth team to spend next fall in the Tacopinas’ Westport home.
I usually try to keep 2 important parts of my life — writing and soccer — separate. “06880″ readers don’t need to hear the details of every high school game I coach (though they’re available at www.StaplesSoccer.com!), and when I’m out on the field, it’s the one time I don’t worry about which “06880″ reader is going postal in the comments section.
But occasionally my soccer and writing worlds intersect. Today’s post is about the 2011 Staples boys soccer team.
Ben Root (left) and Dylan Evans double-team a Norwalk player. (Photo by Carl McNair)
Our season ended Monday, with a 1-0 state tournament loss to Farmington.
If you’re any good at all, you end the season with a loss. Only 1 team wins the championship; in Connecticut, 31 lose in the tournament.
That doesn’t make losing any easier to take. For the 25 or so players on our squad — teenagers who have dedicated themselves, several hours a day since last August (and really, years ago) to the goal of winning the last game of the season — the end comes with stunning finality.
One day — day after day after day — you’re battling opponents, the weather, rival fans, even the referees, for every edge. Then the whistle blows, and suddenly there’s no tomorrow. Just a long bus ride home.
One player said, “Dan, this is so hard. I have to do it once. How do you do it year after year?”
Every team is special. But the 2011 Staples boys soccer team was especially special.
Jake Malowitz moves upfield against Greenwich. The captain's leadership and passion played a great role in Staples' success. (Photo by Carl McNair)
Of our 21 matches, 16 were decided by 1-goal margins, or were ties. That takes an incredible toll, emotionally as well as physically.
Early in the season, we gave up a couple of late goals. We tied games we could have won. Players could have pointed fingers at teammates, or doubted themselves.
They didn’t. Instead, they resolved to do better. By the end of the year — en route to the FCIAC (league) championship, in the league final, and throughout the state tournament — they battled right to the end. They fought for themselves and their teammates, they gutted every game out, and they exited with their heads held high.
They were bound together by pasta dinners, singing on bus rides, weekends together. And all along, they found time for others beyond their team. They performed community service. They served as role models for younger players. They did themselves proud.
In a note to the parents of our players Monday night I said:
You may not always realize it – because you bear the brunt of their teenage-ness – but they are remarkable young men. In addition to being talented, tough athletes, they are passionate, compassionate, hard-working, intelligent, lively, and very funny people. As coaches, we get to see a side of them that you don’t always see. I consider myself fortunate, and lucky, to have spent this season with them.
So, to the 2011 team, I say: “I respect you and admire you. Thanks for the privilege of sharing the 2011 year with you.”
And, to the 2012 team — whose members have not yet been chosen — I say: “Let’s get to work. The season is just 9 months away.”
The Wreckers celebrate against Fairfield Ludlowe -- one of many joyful moments this year. (Photo by Carl McNair)
Carl Swanson — a Staples grad and Steve Ogilvy fan — sent along this remembrance of one of Westport’s most legendary sportsmen.
Those tired of seeing the endless array of clones dressed in ball caps, sunglasses and driving in convertibles around town may take a brief moment to remember Steve Ogilvy on this, his 95nd birthday.
Steve Ogilvy
Steve — nicknamed “Tennis” — is no longer with us. He died in a traffic accident in 2005, returning home from a tennis match. Many remember the tennis star, Hall of Fame inductee and father of 9 children. He was a Westport fixture for over 50 years. Many generations recall at least one of his talented offspring.
The man himself was as unique as the town he loved. A Princeton graduate, he followed the path of entrepreneurship with a hearing aid business in Bridgeport.
Before it was fashionably healthy, “Tennis” did not smoke or drink. He offered each of his children $1,000 if they didn’t abide until they reached the age of 21.
He taught Sunday school and confirmation class at Saugatuck Congregational Church with the infamous lesson that “Jesus is love” would be a correct response to any question ever asked. His boisterous voice could be heard among all others when he sang hymns in church.
When the nest on Valley Road was empty of all 9 children, he wrote each of them a post card every Monday for 30 years.
His non-conformity and stark individuality seemed a perfect fit for Westport. During Ogilvy’s heyday the town was full of unusual stores, celebrities, artisans and many who paralleled his uncanny ability to be different. Certainly he was accomplished, but the true brilliance of the man was his graciousness and love of life.
Such traits rubbed off on most people around him. He could make you feel good about yourself with a few choice words. At my father’s funeral, my former wife mentioned that it was extraordinary that he had 9 kids. He pointed his finger at me: “And he was our 10th.”
When the new pastor at Saugatuck Congregational gave his first sermon, there was an abrupt silence upon its completion. Soon the bellowing voice of “Tennis” announced to the attendees: “A+. A+”.
I guess more than anything I miss about Steve Ogilvy is his happiness. Save his athletic abilities, loving family, business success and innate intelligence, “Tennis” was a happy Westporter. We could use a little more of that these days. As he once told me when he saw me play tennis: “Less pizzazz and more snap.” Amen.
Happy Birthday, “Tennis.”
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