Yearly Archives: 2012

Club Green Wants Your Roof

Posted on November 18, 2012 | 6 comments

Most Westporters are so busy they have little time for basic daily functions like cooking, cleaning and breathing.

So they certainly don’t have time to figure out if their home has good solar potential.

Even if Solarize Westport — a fantastic program that promotes solar installation at below-market rates — is closing in on its December 14 deadline.

So a dozen Staples students are doing it for you.

High school teenagers don’t have a lot of free time either. But these are members of Club Green — a very active environmental group — and helping the planet (and their town) is at least as important to them as homework, SAT prep and playing FIFA.

So last week they examined aerial photos from Google Earth. They found 53 local homes with southern-facing, well-oriented roofs. Then they hand-addressed envelopes to the owners, mailing a letter and flyer describing Solarize Westport.

Club Green — including Robby Gershowitz and Zack Pensak, Stapleites who also serve on Westport’s Green Task Force — says there are 250 or so homes in Westport with “ideal” south-facing roof orientation. Many others are “good” — not due-south, but close enough.

Club Green members (from left) Robby Gershowitz, Thomas Ward and Sarah Fox work diligently to find south-facing roofs.

Club members will continue their identification and mailing work this Tuesday (November 20, 5 to 7 p.m., Town Hall Room 309).

Anyone interested — any age — can join them. Just bring a pen, smartphone, iPad or laptop.

The pizza is free.

Solar power is not, of course. But it’s a great investment — particularly if you heed Club Green, and sign up with Solarize Westport.

6 Comments

Posted in Environment, Staples HS, Teenagers

Tagged Club Green, Solarize Westport, Westport Green Task Force

Mia Gentile Steems You

Posted on November 18, 2012 | 9 comments

“1-800-StanleySteemer, the carpet cleaner” is not the world’s most obnoxious remember-this-phone-number jingle.

That honor goes to 1-877-Kars4Kids. Hands down.

The real Mia Gentile.

But even if you think Stanley Steemer is only mildly repellent, you won’t want to miss Mia Gentile‘s music video.

Sure, she repeats the melody over and over. And over. And over again.

But each version is only a few seconds long.

Each is sung in a different genre. There’s jazz. Opera. Girl group. Country. Latin. Torch song. Punk rock. Gospel. Lady Gaga.

Combined with dozens of costume changes, a rollicking piano accompaniment, and Mia’s versatile, vibrant voice, the result is a YouTube video that has — of course — gone viral.

It got 500 hits a couple of hours after Mia posted it on a few Facebook walls. Within a day, there were 13,000.

Now it’s nearing 50,000 hits.

Not bad for a video done just for fun. This was no guerrilla marketing ploy.

Mia Gentile, pitching Stanley Steemer.

Hopefully, though, it will bring the talented 2007 Staples grad — a veteran of Players shows like “Cabaret,” “The Wiz” and “Children of Eden,” who went on the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and earned praise for her regional theater work in plays like “Next to Normal” — to the attention of Broadway casting directors.

Or at least, the producers at a show like “Ellen.”

Mia first recorded “1-800-StanleySteemer” as a voice demo. It was a way to prove her range of styles.

Roger Klug — a very talented rock musician, writer and producer, who collaborated with her on the project — wanted her to turn her jingles into a music video.

The idea sat on the back burner while Mia auditioned in New York. When she returned to Cincinnati, though — performing every night in “Normal,” and singing in jazz clubs — she finally knocked out the video.

It took a few days to come up with costumes. But it was a fun project. Now it’s taking on a life of its own.

Mia, Mia and Mia — a ’50s girl group.

The Facebook friends whose walls Mia shyly posted the video on forwarded it along. It found its way to Reddit, Tumblr and College Humor. Quickly, it went viral.

“It wasn’t our intention to do this for casting directors, but that’s a happy byproduct,” Mia says. “Casting directors want to put you in a box. If people can see I can play a variety of types, that would be great.”

In less than 3 minutes, the video proves, Mia can sing just about any style, and perform just about any role.

Mia and Mia channel Lady Gaga.

Including a sexy woman in a sequin skirt, oozing sensuality while singing about a carpet cleaner: call Mia Gentile.

Though not at 1-800-StanleySteemer.

Click below for Mia Gentile’s YouTube viral video.)

9 Comments

Posted in Entertainment, People, Staples HS, technology

Tagged " YouTube, Mia Gentile, Roger Klug, Stanley Steemer

Gingerbread House Decorating Alert!

Posted on November 17, 2012 | 2 comments

If you need a sign that the holiday season is upon us, here’s one word: gingerbread.

The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce has developed “what promises to be a fun, annual, holiday event!” It’s a “gingerbread decorating house contest.” (Or, more grammatically, a gingerbread house decorating contest.)

Visit the Chamber office (215 Main Street) Monday or Tuesday (November 19-20). You’ll be given a name and location of your “business host.”

You’ll have a week to decorate the house. (This being Thanksgiving week, it’s either a terrible time, or a way to keep kids busily occupied.)

Completed houses should be delivered to “the designated business/merchant” by Sunday, November 25. There will be a jar for votes — with ballots cast by pennies.

Then, you collect your house by Monday, December 10. You bring it to the Westport Library for the Chamber’s Holiday House party on Thursday, December 13 (4:30 to 6 p.m.). One winner from each of 3 categories — Youth/Family, Adult and Professional — will be announced.

A portion of the funds raised benefit Staples Tuition Grants and Toys for Tots. (Did I mention there are entry fees? $75 for Professional category; $50 for Adult; $25 for Youth/Family.)

Sounds complicated, I know.

But win or lose, you support Westport business and 2 great organizations.

Plus, win or lose, you’ll end up with a wonderful doorstop.

2 Comments

Posted in Library, Local business, Organizations

Tagged gingerbread house, Westport Library, Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce

Stephen Wilkes Stops Time

Posted on November 17, 2012 | 7 comments

Westport artist Stephen Wilkes spends 15 hours a day in a bucket truck, suspended high over whichever New York scene he’s shooting: Central Park. Times Square. Coney Island.

He’ll shoot 1,400 images — and never take a bathroom break.

But that’s not even the most remarkable thing about his work.

Washington Square Park (Photo by Stephen Wilkes)

Wilkes spends the next 4 months examining every single shot. He searches for tiny, telling details, like 2 men’s hands that seem to reach toward each other — taken several hours apart.

He stitches his favorite shots together. Sure, he uses a computer — but it’s hands-on, intricate, intensely tedious work.

When he’s done, Wilkes has produced a “Day to Night” shot. It’s as if 1 photo shows a 15-hour span.

Of course, it’s dozens of images. Amazingly — though one side of his work is light, the other dark — you can’t see any separation at all.

This past Sunday, “CBS Sunday Morning” profiled the Westporter’s astonishing artistry.

A national audience heard Wilkes describe “Coney Island.” The right side of the photo — the beach — was crowded during the day. The left side — the amusement park rides — were equally packed at night. The dividing line, though, was nowhere to be seen. Day morphed subtly into night, just as it does at the real Coney Island.

Coney Island. (Photo by Stephen Wilkes)

CBS showed other Wilkes works. There was the Flatiron Building — taken on September 11, 2010 — with “ghost lights” from the Twin Towers. Central Park, in an ice storm. Washington Square Park, where brides kept appearing at different times during the day.

Though New York offers a seemingly endless array of “Day Into Night” possibilities, Wilkes may soon turn his 15-hour lens on Shanghai. Or Jerusalem.

Months later, the world will see his spectacular images.

All of which he works on — day and night — right here in Westport.

Flatiron Building (Photo by Stephen Wilkes)

(Click here to view the CBS-TV “Sunday Morning” video clip.)

7 Comments

Posted in Arts, People, technology

Tagged CBS "Sunday Morning", Stephen Wilkes

Sharing The Turkey Bounty With All

Posted on November 16, 2012 | 4 comments

One good turn deserves another.

Two — well, read on.

A year ago this Sunday — 4 days before Thanksgiving — Saugatuck Congregational Church was nearly destroyed by fire.

Less than 3 weeks ago, Hurricane Sandy slammed Westport.

Either calamity might have pushed the church’s annual Thanksgiving feast to the back burner.

Instead, last year’s event was a spectacular success.

This year’s will be even bigger.

And better.

Twelve months after the blaze, the Saugatuck Church building is still unusable. So — for the 2nd straight year — Christ & Holy Trinity Church has opened its spacious Branson Hall to all.

Christ and Holy Trinity Church’s Branson Hall — site of the 41st annual Thanksgiving feast.

Saugatuck Church organizers are equally generous. This year — to honor the men who saved their building — they’ve invited all Westport firefighters to this Thursday’s feast.

And, in Sandy’s wake, they’re also inviting every Westport police officer, EMT member and Public Works employee.

Plus all CL&P crews and tree guys. Along with any out-of-state utility workers who might still be around.

“We want them all,” says Saugatuck Church mission board chairman Randy Christophersen.

“They can come join us. They can drive up and get a meal to go. We’ll even deliver it to their home or apartment.”

The guest list doesn’t end there. Anyone whose home is still uninhabitable — in Westport, Bridgeport, any port — is invited. So are seniors at the Westport Health Care Center.

Transportation a problem? No problem! Volunteers will pick anyone up, and bring them home.

And, of course, there’s the usual guest list: anyone alone, lonely, even entire fortunate families just looking to share a meal with others, is welcome.

Oh, yes: Bob Lasprogato’s jazz band will play.

This is a massive undertaking. And, Randy notes, Saugatuck and Christ & Holy Trinity could not do it alone.

Green’s Farms Congregational Church and Temple Israel — Saugatuck’s post-fire home-away-from-home — are contributing 2 crucial elements: volunteers and food.

They’re not the only ones.

Stew Leonard’s has donated 25 turkeys; Brit Air is giving another 15 more. Oscar’s‘ refrigerators are storing them. Stop & Shop is providing all the produce. Juice comes from Newman’s Own Foundation. First County and Webster Banks are staunch supporters too.

The Boy Scouts are doing pots and pans. 100 chairs will come from Assumption Church.

“This is a snap,” says Randy Christophersen, in between hectic preparations for the massive feast.

“Last year after the fire, we had only 3 days prepare.”

Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, apple pie for hundreds of Westporters, neighboring residents, seniors, first responders, municipal and utility workers — piece of cake.

(The Saugatuck Congregational Church’s 41st annual Thanksgiving feast is set for Thursday, November 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Christ & Holy Trinity Church. For more information, or to request a delivered meal or ride, click here.)

4 Comments

Posted in Local business, Organizations, People, Police, religion, Weather

Tagged Christ & Holy Trinity Church, Hurricane Sandy, Oscar's Delicatessen, Randy Christophersen, Saugatuck Congregational Church, Stew Leonard's, Stop & Shop

Sandy Meets Santa

Posted on November 15, 2012 | Comments Off

As thousands of families fled Hurricane Sandy, the last thing they thought about was toys.

But along with the rest of their possessions, countless children lost toys.

Now, with the holiday season near, the last thing displaced parents can do is think about — or pay for — toys.

It’s a stressful time for so many people in the tri-state area. Christmas and Hanukkah are sure to add one more level of anxiety.

As it does so often, Al’s Angels rides to the rescue.

The Westport organization — which in “good” times provides over 3000 families and 5000 children battling cancer, rare blood diseases and financial hardship with holiday meals and gifts — is expanding its mission.

Founder Al DiGuido and his hard-working, ever-smiling band of volunteers is organizing a toy drive to collect new, unwrapped gifts. They’ll bring a sliver of joy to thousands of kids who would otherwise have no toys this holiday season.

Banners are being made. They’ll be placed in Westport stores, whose owners have agreed to accept donated toys. (A full list will be published soon.) Starting November 24, you can also drop off toys at the rear entrance of 1175 Post Road East (opposite Crate & Barrel).

Cash donations are of course welcome. Click here, then find “Hurricane Sandy” in the clickdown “Donation Option Categories” menu.

Al’s Angels is always looking for man (and woman) (and kid) power too. If you’d like to help, email adiguido@yahoo.com.

There are many ways to be an angel this Christmas (or Hanukkah). Thanks to Al’s Angels for providing this special one.

Comments Off on Sandy Meets Santa

Posted in Children, Organizations, People, Weather

Tagged Al DiGuido, Al's Angels, Hurricane Sandy

Mumbai Times

Posted on November 15, 2012 | 3 comments

Mexican restaurants have Cinco de Mayo. Irish restaurants, St. Patty’s Day.

Indian restaurants celebrate Diwali.

The “Festival of Lights” marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. The 5-day holiday is underway now. It’s the perfect time to introduce a new restaurant.

Which is exactly what The Mumbai Times did last night, with a festive party.

Okay, it’s not a completely new restaurant. For years, Westporters knew it as Bombay Bar & Grill.

Simmi and Tarun Narula

The space is the same — between Mitchells and Party Harty — and owners Tarun and Simmi Narula were formerly Bombay’s managers.

But Bombay — the city — changed its name to Mumbai a while ago. Now the restaurant has done the same.

If “Mumbai Times” sounds like something read, not a place where you eat — well, the menu looks like a newspaper too, from the format to the font. There’s even a little “news item” on the back, describing Mumbai (the city) and its thriving Jewish community (10 synagogues).

Happy Diwali! Or, as they say in Mumbai: हैप्पी दीवाली

3 Comments

Posted in People, Restaurants

Tagged Tarun Narula, The Mumbai Times

Book It!

Posted on November 14, 2012 | 9 comments

A couple of weeks ago, longtime Westporter (and very talented photographer) Stacy Waldman Bass went into Terrain in Westport. She wanted to buy a terrarium.

As she searched for the right one, a helpful salesperson offered an alternative.

“How about a beautiful book?” she asked, and walked Stacy over to one she called her favorite.

It was “In the Garden,” a handsome photo-and-essay volume celebrating the natural splendor and abundant creativity of America’s 21st-century gardens.

The wonderful photographs are by — Stacy Bass.

Talk about fantastic customer service!