Talented and popular 12-year-old Aerin Lichtman is joined today by an even younger artist: 10-year-old Ben Gionfriddo.
We welcome too a couple of full-time, gallery-showing professionals: Brian Whelan, and newcomer Dorie.
That’s the whole point of “06880”‘s online art feature: No matter what your theme or medium — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.
Email it to 06880blog@gmail.com. Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“‘The Aviana’: Luxury Bird Condos” — oil on cavas. Mary Madelyn Attanasio explains: “A friend of mine created several birdhouses for the Birdhouse Fundraiser. This painting was sold at a juried show.”
“Green Heron” — watercolor (Kathleen Burke)
“The Raven” — encaustic wax (Dorothy Robertshaw)
“Textured Art on Wood Panels” — Anne Bernier
“Alien” — watercolors, ink, colored pencils and oil pastels on paper (Ben Gionfriddo, 10 years old)
Untitled (Tom Doran)
“Beached” — pastels (Werner Liepolt)
“Compo Beach” (Cohl Katz)
“Moving Upstream” — Lynn Wilson says, “Herring are running at Stoney Brook Mill in Brewster, Massachusetts.”
“Lavender Field Retreat, Provence” — oil on canvas. Artist Dorie is showing this now at Westport River Gallery.
“Autumn Blaze Red Maple” (Aerin Lichtman, 12 years old)
“Ornament at Eleven O’Clock” — Photographer Peter Barlow explains: “The title refers to when the shadow is straight. Most of the time there is no shadow.“
“POP! No muscles moved?” — Maasai warrior jump dancing, Tanzania — Mike Hibbard
“The Tribe of Dan” — Artist Steve Stein says: “One of Chagall’s 12 windows representing the sons of Jacob. ‘Dan’ in Hebrew means’ judge.’ The tribe is associated with law, order, the scales of justice and its most famous member, Samson.”
“Working Remotely” (Lawrence Weisman)
“Shakespeare” — in honor of his birthday; acrylic and foil on canvas (Brian Whelan)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Fairfield County is filled with interesting non-profits, doing important things.
And 4 Staples High School juniors want everyone to know about them.
Zach Gorin and Aaron Varsov are excellent students, and high-level soccer players. They don’t have a lot of free time.
But they wanted to start a business. Aaron had the idea of a podcast, to promote non-profits.
They enlisted 2 other sharp, soccer-playing Staples teammates: Cormac Mulvey and Jack Schwartz.
From left: Jack Schwartz, Cormac Mulvey, Aaron Varsov, Zach Gorin.
The 11th graders already knew a bit about non-profits. Zach is on the junior board of Homes with Hope. Jack is on Yale Children’s Hospital’s junior board.
“A lot of non-profits don’t get much recognition,” Jack says. “We want to tell their stories, the stuff you don’t find on their website. We want people to be inspired by them — especially kids.”
“Non-Profit Promoters” — the name of their venture — chronicles the organizations’ struggles and triumphs.
And it’s done through interviews with the non-profits’ leaders themselves.
Their first guest was George Todorovich. The Weston High School graduate — now at the University of Virginia — uses the power of basketball to help impoverished, war-torn communities in the former Yugoslavia, where his family is from.
This week marks one of the most historic moments in our town’s history.
At dusk on April 25, 1777, 26 ships carrying 2,000 British troops under the direction of General William Tryon — a force larger than at Lexington or Concord — landed at Compo Beach.
Tory loyalists planned to guide them up Compo Road to Cross Highway, across to Redding Road, then north through Redding and Bethel to Danbury, where they would burn a major munitions depot.
Patriots fired a few shots at the corner of the Post Road and Compo, but the British marched on. In Danbury they destroyed the Continental Army’s munitions, then headed back toward their waiting ships at Compo.
Hastily assembled patriot forces fought them in the fierce Battle of Ridgefield. Led by Brigadier General Benedict Arnold — not yet a traitor — and outnumbered 3 to 1, the patriots deployed a strategy of selective engagement.
British forces landed at Compo Beach, marched to Danbury, returned south and — after the Battle of Compo Hill — retreated to Long Island.
The next day — April 28, 1777 — patriots tried to capture the Redcoats at a bridge across the Saugatuck River. That forced the soldiers to march 2 miles north, and swim across.
Meanwhile, marksmen waited on Compo Hill (the current site of Minuteman Hill road).
Twenty colonials were killed, and between 40 and 80 wounded when the British made a shoulder to shoulder charge with fixed bayonets — but, wearing everyday work clothes and using hunting guns or pistols, they gave the Redcoats a fight.
It was reported that resistance here was more severe than at Lexington and Concord.
Graves of some of the patriots who fell that day lie along Compo Beach Road, just past the Minuteman statue. British soldiers are buried across Gray’s Creek, by the Longshore golf course.
Though Tryon returned to burn Norwalk and Fairfield, never again during the American Revolution did British troops venture inland in Connecticut.
The next time you pass the Minute Man, think about the Battle of Compo Hill. That’s the reason our Minuteman stands guard, facing Compo Road.
Like his fellow patriots 247 years ago, he’s ready to give the Brits his best shot.
The Minuteman statue today.
This important anniversary often passes without much recognition.
Every so often though, the town pays attention.
That was the case in 1977. Westport saluted the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Compo Hill with a special postcard:
Alert “06880” reader Mark Yurkiw — who lives on Cross Highway, directly on the path the Redcoats took (and whose former home next door bears a hole left by a musket ball) — sent the bicentennial souvenir along.
Fittingly, one of the stamps depicts George Washington.
That was 47 years ago.
Time to start planning our 250th-anniversary celebration of the Battle of Compo Hill, 3 years from now.
(Friday Flashback is a weekly “06880” feature. If you enjoy it — or anything else on your hyper-local blog — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The Westport Fire Department did not have to travel far Wednesday night.
They — and a couple of hundred Westport friends — gathered at Autostrada, next door.
The classic car-and-event space was filled for the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation’s 2nd annual whiskey tasting fundraiser.
The cause was a great one: $80,000, to replace 55 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), in every fire, police and ambulance in town.
The turnout — and vibe — was fantastic. And though the mood was festive, it was important too to hear Deputy Fire Chief Nick Marsan’s description of lives that have been saved by AEDs.
One grateful woman — 34 years old — returned to the fire station to thank him. With her 4- and 2-year-old sons.
Raising money for AEDs is something the firefighters do, above and beyond the call of duty. Last night, Westport toasted them in style.
First responders, town officials and friends at the firefighters’ gala.
Checking out auction items — and classic cars — at Autostrada.
From left: Firefighters Eric LaRiviere, Rob Lenois, Ryan Farrell, Pete Nichio and Shareef Conjura. Lenois is president of the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation. (Photos/John Videler for Videler Photography)
If you missed Homes with Hope‘s fantastic video — celebrating the non-profit’s 40 year history, from a controversial small men’s shelter to a supportive housing institution supported by the entire town — you’re in luck.
It will be screened again on June 9 (2 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church). It’s a fascinating look at changing attitudes toward homelessness and hunger, as told by the men and women who have worked for 4 decades to end it here.
Also in Homes with Hope news: Yesterday, the Westport Downtown Association presented the organization with a check for $20,000. The generous proceeds come from last month’s Fashionably Westport event, at the Westport Library.
The donation will help expand Homes with Hope’s pantry, and bring back the Project Return program — along with all the other good works HwH does.
Westport Downtown Association president Maxx Crowley and Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden (5th and 6th from left), and representatives of the 2 organizations, with their $20,000 check.
The Connecticut NAACP State Conference and Greater Norwalk NAACP branch have organized a “town hall meeting” to address “concerns and experiences related to racism in the community.”
It’s set for May 9 (6 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Westport).
Norwalk NAACP president Brenda Penn-Williams told Nancy on Norwalk: “Individuals throughout Fairfield County are invited to participate and voice their perspectives on combating racism in our society. The initiative stems from recent allegations around incidents of racist bullying, which have deeply affected families in the Westport community….
“This event aims to create a platform for open dialogue, advocacy, and solidarity against racism. It will provide a space for community members to share their stories, offer support, and advocate for meaningful change to combat racism.
“The Town Hall meeting will serve as a collective effort to address racism as a community-wide issue and promote inclusivity, equity, and respect for all individuals. Join us on May 9 to stand together against racism and work towards a more just society.” (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
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The Westport Country Playhouse continues to add intriguing new events.
“Girl Rising”celebrates the untapped potential of girls to address the world’s urgent challenges, like climate change (May 29, 7 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information).
The evening features screenings of portions of the documentary “Girl Rising,” which helped spark a global movement for girls’ education. Girl Rising’s co-founder and CEO Christina Lowery will be on hand with young advocates for girls’ rights, education equity, and climate justice, to tell powerful stories and engage in empowering conversation.
Following February’s sold-out Swiftie singalong, “A Night for Swifties & More” takes the stage June 1 (7 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information).
Drew Wutke’s powerhouse band returns, with Broadway singers and beyond. At 5:30 before the show, there’s friendship bracelet-making, a photo both, other activities and live music.
The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players present “The Pirates of Penzance in One Act and an Evening of Gilbert & Sullivan Players” (June 28, 7:30 p.m.; June 29, 2 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information). The performers will take audience requests, too.
“Imagination Movers”offers the fun of one of their concerts — it’s kids’ music at its best. A limited number of pre-show meet-and-greet tickets are available too (September 22, 1 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information).
Kings Highway Elementary School students, staff members and parents celebrated Earth Day on Tuesday. Among the highlights:
“Zero Hero Helper” students were honored for their work keeping the school clean, through litter removal, lunch room composting and food rescuing.
Mother Earth Melodies: Music teacher Amy Laurino led students in Earth Day songs.
The Science of Seeds: Science coach Kate Romano shared updates on the planting in the new science garden center.
Food Rescue: Priscilla Jones, math and workshop teacher, described how this year KHS has donated over 1,400 pounds of uneaten food to the Food Rescue US Fairfield County.
Cans to Coins: KHS is collecting redeemable cans and plastic bottles throughout April. Proceeds will be donated to World Bicycle Relief to complement their One School One Book project. Cans and bottles redeemed so far have enabled students to send $160 to Lucy Ackemann from Food Rescue US.
Kings Highway Elementary students celebrate Earth Day.
The Westport Shellfish Commission member and Saugatuck Shores resident headed to Canal Beach at low tide. She cleaned up the large stake (photo below), plus “lots of little bitty plastics and metals, Styrofoam, cardboards, and tar road chunks.”
The good news: She collected “much, much less than last year.”
“Civil War” — the new film generating tons of buzz — offers a new take on social collapse. It follows 4 journalists on a road trip from New York to Washington,
The central character is Lee (Kirsten Dunst), a photojournalist.
So when “On the Media” — WNYC’s popular radio show and podcast — wanted to dive deeper, they went to one of the world’s most talented and honored photojournalists: Lynsey Addario.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times staff member — who has photographed harrowing scenes in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa, and is a 1991 Staples High School graduate — talked with Brooke Gladstone about her experiences covering wars abroad, and how accurately the film depicts reporting during conflict.
Speaking of Staples: Students Anna Ji, Andrew Rebello and Jackson Tracey will represent their high school at the Hwa Chong Institution’s Asia-Pacific Young Leaders’ Summit in July.
Principal Stafford Thomas will accompany the delegates to the conference, in Singapore.
Each year, HCI invites 80 top student leaders from leading schools around the world.
For the past 11 years, Westport has been invited to send 3 juniors who are high performing academically and interested in world affairs, with a special interest in Asia. Congratulations to Anna, Andrew and Jackson!
From left: Anna Ji, Andrew Rebello, Jackson Tracey.
Read to Grow is a non-profit organization with one mission: embracing literacy from birth.
They profit with 17 hospitals to provide babies with their first book, and parents with educational materials to guide them as their babies’ first and best teachers.
In addition, a books-for-kids program enables anyone in Connecticut to request books for their home, while a bookmobile allows children to select books to take home.
Read to Grow hosts a fun fundraiser on May 2 (Westport Library, 6 p.m.). Highlights include food and drinks based children’s books, from Zucca Gastrobar; games of chance; music by Andrew Maskoff, and a silent auction.
TikTok-famous librarian Mychal Threets will be there, along with noted local author Victoria Kahn. Longtime New York radio celebrity Ian O’Malley hosts.
Radio host, actor and author (“Happier Made Simple”) Randye Kaye gave a humorous and interactive presentation to the Westport Rotary Club lunch meeting on Tuesday. The topic was “What’s EI Got To Do With It.”
Kaye said that emotional intelligence and human connection are the keys to achieving joy, and surviving tough times.
She led the Rotarians through exercises to show how changing perceptions and thoughts about a situation can also change emotional reactions.
Randye Kaye, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Ellin Curley)
And finally … On this date in 1969, the Edwin Hawkins Singers’ “Oh Happy Day” entered the Hot 100 at #72. It was the first pure gospel song to make that chart. It went on to reach #4, and became an international hit.
(It’s a happy day when readers support “06880.” If you enjoy our work, please click here to help. Thank you!)
Solutions to Westport’s traffic woes may move more slowly than the vehicles that race around town.
But they’re coming.
That was one of the messages delivered at last night’s Traffic Pedestrian Safety public meeting.
Three dozen residents — many of them RTM representatives and other town officials — heard members of the Traffic & Pedestrian Task Force, and an outside consulting firm, describe steps they’ve already taken, and will take, to address the thorny issue.
The task force, created by 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, was represented by Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich, Police Corporal Al D’Amura and Deputy Chief Ryan Paulsson, Deputy Fire Chief Nick Marsan, town operations director Tom Kiely, and town engineer Keith Wilberg.
Four members of the Tighe & Bond engineering firm presented too.
Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force members (from left) Pete Ratkiewich, Al D’Amurra, Ryan Paulsson, Nick Marsan and Keith Wilberg, last night at Town Hall.
Increased traffic enforcement — particularly around schools — has led to 3,580 traffic stops since October: a 39% increase. More than 170 of those stops have been made on Easton Road, near Coleytown Middle and Elementary Schools.
That’s a direct result of the 4 police officers assigned to Westport’s 8 schools (Staples/Bedford, Coleytown Middle and Elementary, Kings Highway/Saugatuck and Long Lots/Greens Farms), Paulsson said.
In addition, several sidewalks have been built, crosswalks have been designated, and no-parking zones created.
A map showed that traffic enforcement takes place all over Westport. “It’s not just on the Post Road,” Deputy Chief Ryan Paulsson noted. (Photos/Dan Woog)
A $562,500 grant — 75% of it federal, 25% local — will help Tighe & Bond devise a safety action plan by next February.
It may include traffic enforcement cameras, at selected locations. State legislation passed recently now allows municipalities to install the devices. But there are many stipulations, such as demonstrated need. Westport is moving forward to qualify, Paulsson said.
Data collection on accidents and “hot spots” continues, the consultants explained. There have been 2,944 motor vehicle accidents over the past 5 years, with 5 fatalities and 37 serious injuries.
Among the most troublesome areas: the Post Road, and Riverside and Saugatuck Avenues.
Twenty-eight involved pedestrians, while 6 involved bicyclists.
The “interactive survey map” has been helpful. Over 1,350 people have logged on, to register complaints and comments, and offer solutions.
Many involve the Post Road, Riverside Avenue, Main Street, Compo Road North and Cross Highway. Low responses have come from the northwest (Redcoat Road) and southeast (Greens Farms) sections of town.
The survey is open until May 10. Click here to see and respond.
In the public portion of the meeting, several RTM members spoke about their districts’ concerns.
Congestion, dangerous drivers and poor visibility were mentioned frequently.
Bicyclists were not forgotten. RTM member Peter Gold asked for debris to be cleared from roadsides, potholes filled and vegetation removed, so that cyclists would not have to veer into roadways.
Bike Westport co-founder Markus Marty urged the creation of more bike lanes, noting studies that show narrower lanes lead to safer streets.
(Click here for Westport’s Traffic & Pedestrian Safety page.)
(Everyone talks about traffic. “06880” brings you news about it — along with everything else going on in Westport. But we can’t do it without you. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The Yellow Tulip Project is a national, youth-driven movement aimed at smashing the stigma and silence surrounding mental illness.
It began when teenager Julia Hansen was dealing with her own depression, alone. It took the tragedy of losing her 2 best friends to suicide for the high school sophomore to find her voice, and speak out.
Julia’s mother, Suzanne Fox, helped her create an online space to inspire conversations about how to combat the rising tide of suicide. Yellow Tulip Project members speak and conferences, schools and youth events; provide programs, and plant “hope gardens” in the fall that bloom in spring.
Julia lives in California. But her mom Suzanne grew up in Westport, and graduated from Staples High School.
Westport Department of Human Services director Elaine Daignault did not know that when she learned about the Yellow Tulip Project, and brought it to Staples’ Teen Awareness Group. She’s an advisor to TAG, a student-led group that takes a realistic, impactful role in trying to reduce teens’ risky behavior, and promote personal and shared responsibility.
TAG loved the project’s message about instilling hope. They bought 500 tulips.
Inspired by Julia’s story, TAG looked for locations to plant yellow tulip bulbs. They’d serve as a visual reminder of hope for those dealing with mental health issues.
In November they planted 2 hope gardens. One was at Staples, near the peace pole in the courtyard by the auditorium. The other was at the Senior Center.
TAG members planted tulips in the Staples High courtyard …
“We liked the idea of spreading hope to seniors who may experience isolation, grief and loneliness as they age,” Daignault explains.
“And the kids recognized that our active seniors may also appreciate an inter-generational initiative that encourages the community to talk openly about mental health.”
Senior Center director Wendy Petty and program specialist Jason Wilson suggested using the dormant winter garden, to protect the bulbs from deer.
Jason helped prepare the soil, and gave TAG members “the confidence to get a little dirty,” Daignault says.
… and, with help from Jason Wilson (rear), at the Senior Center.
It was only then — after talking with Senior Center member Dorothy Fox — that Daignault learned of her daughter Suzanne and granddaughter Julia’s Westport connection.
TAG members plan a small dedication ceremony today (Friday) at 3 p.m., when the blooms look their best.
The timing works well too, because TAG is preparing for Staples’ Get Real Day on May 8. It’s a school-wide focus on mental health and substance abuse awareness.
“The Yellow Tulip Project’s Hope Garden is another way TAG hopes to encourage open conversation about wellness, and spread awareness about available resources,” Daignault says.
“Next year we’ll try to build some programming around the initiative. But for now, we’re just thrilled to spread some light and cheer this spring.”
Westport Center Senior’s “Hope Garden,” in bloom.
(“06880” covers Westport’s youth, seniors, and everyone in between. If you enjoy our hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Westport native Chelsea Cutler returns home for a special Levitt Pavilion show July 27.
The platinum-selling singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and engineer has generated over 3 billion streams, sold out worldwide tours, and been named to “Forbes 30 Under 30.”
In addition to Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and more, she has performed on Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, James Corden, Seth Meyers and the Times Square New Year’s Eve Special.
Chelsea Cutler
That’s just one highlight, on a jam-packed outdoor entertainment schedule that begins in May, and runs through October.
The Levitt presents over 50 free shows each year, along with a few special paid- ticket events. Programming ranges from every type of music, to dance, comedy and a children’s series.
New shows are added throughout the season. Here’s what’s the Levitt has announced so far:
Free shows
May 31: Prince/Bowie: The Music of Prince and David Bowie (members of Twiddle, Pink Talking Fish, Remain in Light, Deep Banana Blackout and more ), plus the Cal Kehoe Band.
June 1: Couch: Boston-based pop, funk, rock and R&B/soul.
June 6: Pine Leaf Boys: High energy Cajun & zydeco rock from Louisiana.
June 18: Isle of Klezbos: Powerhouse all-female klezmer sextet celebrates their 25th anniversary.
Isle of Klezbos
June 20: Molly Grace: Nashville-based queer pop-funk star.
June 21: Carbon Leaf : Indie quintet from Virginia, playing bluegrass, rock, folk, Celtic and pop.
June 27: Alysha Brilla Trio: Composer, music producer and multi-instrumentalist weaves together rhythmic global roots sounds with a flourish of esoteric lyricism.
June 29: Buffalo Nichols: Blue with 808 programming, chopped up Charley Patton samples, washes of synth.
June 20: NYC SKA Orchestra: 20-piece big band performing original compositions and arrangements of songs from ska, mento, rock steady, reggae, and jazz from the 1950s and 60s.
June 13: The Lone Bellow: Their 2021 Levitt show sold out instantly. Brooklyn-based Americana, alt-country folk band known for transcendent harmonies and raucous live performances.
June 16: The Wood Brothers with the Bygones: American roots band that blends folk, blues, gospel, and jazz; joined on Father’s Day by an indie folk duo that ties together traditional jazz, 70’s singer-songwriter classic country and bossa nova.
June 22: Mihali & Friends return (more information to come).
July 4: Umphrey’s McGee and July 5: Moe. Best.Summer.Ever. With Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country and Neighbor. 2-day Independence Day celebration. Umphrey’s McGee reinvents musical styles including rock, metal, funk, jazz, blues, reggae, electronic, bluegrass, country and folk. Rock progressive neo-psychedelia jam band moe defies categorization. Alt-country and jam artist Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Universe and Neighbor is an exciting, unpredictable live band. (Two-day and single-day tickets available.)
A few of this summer’s many Levitt Pavilion performers.
July 14: Aoife O’Donovan & Hawktail: Grammy winner returns to the Levitt in support of her new album “All My Friends,” inspired by women’s suffrage.
August 17: Andrew Bird with Amadou & Mariam: Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, whistler and songwriter is joined by Amadou and Mariam, husband- and-wife Malian musical duo.
(Click here to receive announcements of upcoming Levitt Pavilion shows.)
The Levitt Pavilion is often packed for shows. (Photo/JC Martin)
(The Levitt Pavilion offers many free shows — but puts on paid-ticket shows too, to pay the bills. “06880” is also free. But we too rely on support from our fans. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Two dozen electors have petitioned the Representative Town Meeting to appoint a committee to “review the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee’s plans for both Parker Harding and Jesup Green, the scope of the work and the associated costs; and to consider the merits and costs associated with feasible alternatives to what is being proposed by the DPIC, including a parking deck at the Baldwin lot; and to report its findings to the entire membership for such action as may be appropriate.”
The petitioners note “a great deal of concern and consternation among the citizenry surrounding the DPIC proposal, focused upon both the encroachment into Jesup Green and perceived flaws in the redesign of Parker Harding.”
RTM moderator Jeff Wieser has asked the RTM Rules Committee to review the petition prior to the full body’s May 7 meeting.
Wieser says that the RTM will take up that topic at the full meeting, along with the request for design funds to propose construction drawings for Jesup Green and the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
“Various committees have met regarding the design funds,” he notes. In addition, the RTM will have field trips next week at Jesup Green to review the proposed plans.
It’s very appropriate: WestportMoms is hosting a Mother’s Day celebration — called “MOMents that Matter” — next Thursday (May 2, 6 to 10 p.m., Birchwood Country Club).
The event includes:
Mother’s Day shopping boutique with curated vendors
Panel discussion “rock star local moms” (including CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, actress Stephanie Szostak, “Devil Wears Prada” author Lauren Weisberger, Melissa + Doug co-founder Melissa Bernstein and others) on balancing careers and motherhood, and the “MOMents That Matter.”
Gift bags for 50 attendees ($100 gift card to WEST, massage at Squeeze, and much more)
Appetizers from the new Birchwood chef, and cash bar.
Attendees are asked to bring a pack of feminine napkins, for women in need. The be donated to the Diaper Bank of Connecticut.
Tickets are $30. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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Stacie Curran reports:
“What a wild nightyesterday at the Westport Library!
“Attendees from Club 203 members (our social group for adults with disabilities) and friends packed the Trefz Forum with a night of ‘speed friending; by TeenSLP (Staples High School’s speech and language expert Deirdre Flores), and rockin’ out with karaoke by our MC extraordinaire volunteer PJ Pitcher.
Thank you, Westport Library, for this incredible space. A special shout-out to associate director Alex Giannini, and the sound manager of Verso Studios, Travis Bell. You turned dreams into realty!”
Part of the Club 203 fun last night at the Westport Library.
There’s a new addition to Saturday’s annual Drug Takeback Day (April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Westport Senior Center).
A Wellness Fair — sponsored by Positive Directions — will take place, along with a collection by Westport Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency of tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs.
Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs are not accepted. Liquid products like cough syrup should remain sealed in their original container.
Residents can bring expired and unwanted medications for safe disposal, then stay for “wellness fun.”
The event includes a free behavioral health screening and blood pressure check, a sensory table for relaxation, and nutrition tips.
Prevention resources include drug awareness activities (drunk goggles, liquor stickers, lock bags, Narcan demonstration), tick and mosquito prevention resources, and gambling awareness materials.
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Prep work continues for the upcoming beach season.
Speaking of police: The Westport PD made 6 custodial arrests between April 17 and 24.
A 26-year-old Bridgeport woman was arrested for larceny, illegal taking of a payment card, illegal use of a credit card exceeding $500, receipt from illegal use of a credit card, and identity theft, following complaint of fraudulent credit card charges over $12,000. Surveillance footage at Walgreens determined that an employee had used the card to purchase gift cards. Surveillance footage at other locations also showed the same user.
A 52-year-old Elizabeth, New Jersey woman was arrested for larceny and forgery, and conspiracy to commit those crimes, after a $560 check was stolen from their mailbox, and fraudulently deposited for $5,500..
A 43-year-old Westport man was charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with an emergency call, following a domestic disturbance. His comments made a family member fear for their safety, then held their car keys so they could not leave and interfered with a 911 call for help
A 47-year-old Stamford woman was charged with disorderly conduct and assault, after a domestic violence incident in a Westport home.
A 33-year-old Norwalk man was arrested for illegal operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, evading responsibility, failure to obey a stop sign and operating a motor vehicle without a license, following an accident with injuries at the Compo Road North/Evergreen Avenue intersection. The driver — who fled with the passenger on foot — had failed to stop at the Evergreen Avenue stop sign. He and the passenger were quickly apprehended. The operator of the vehicle that was struck sustained minor injuries.
A 39-year-old Darien man was arrested for driving under the influence after his vehicle was stopped in the travel portion of the street, near 1655 Post Road East. Officers found the driver disoriented, unable to follow basic instructions, and with the odor of alcohol on his breath.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 3 citations
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
Speeding: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
Interfering with an officer: 1
Reckless driving: 1
Distracted driving: 1
Failure to yield to a pedestrian: 1
Following too closely: 1
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Improper use of markers: 1
Drivers must yield to pedestrians at crosswalks like this one, on Riverside Avenue at Sylvan Lane.
Suzuki Music Schools are best known for their violin instructions.
Sophie B. Hawkins does not play the violin.
No matter. The Westport-based singer/songwriter is the special guest performer at Suzuki’s annual gala this Friday (April 26, Aspetuck Country Club, Weston). She’ll be accompanied by Suzuki students.
The event includes a cocktail hour with open bar, dinner, and a live auction.
Last year’s gala raised nearly $40,000 to support their Bridgeport Outreach programs, to provide music lessons to children in need.
This year’s goal: raise enough funds to provide violins for those children to take home for practice.
Dimitri Alatakis — a part owner of the Sherwood Diner — died last week, after suffering a heart attack. He lived in Fairfield, and was 61.
Dimitri is survived by his wife of 31 years, Donna; children Dimitri, Zoe and Alexei; mother Galatia and brother Stephen. He was predeceased by his father Andreas.
Services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604, to benefit the preschool program.
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We don’t often post a nighttime “Westport … Naturally” photo. Here’s an exception: Jerry Kuyper’s image, “minutes after the moon hit full.”
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Julia’s mother, Suzanne Fox, helped her create an online space to inspire conversations about how to combat the rising tide of suicide. Yellow Tulip Project members speak and conferences, schools and youth events; provide programs, and plant “hope gardens” in the fall that bloom in spring.
