Yearly Archives: 2017

Rockin’ Around The Vimeo Feed

Posted on December 2, 2017 | 3 comments

It was the like one of the 1960s Staples High School concerts with the Doors, Yardbirds or regular Byrds: Sorry, sold out!

Fifty years after those legendary shows, a Westport Cinema Initiative showing of a documentary about them left plenty of folks standing in the lobby.

The movie — “The High School That Rocked!” — was a labor of love. Class of ’71 alum Fred Cantor (who somehow managed to miss all of those concerts, back in the day) teamed up with 2014 grad Casey Denton (an Emerson College film major who had a better reason for missing them: He would not be born for another 3 decades).

The resulting story of how the Doors, Cream, Sly & the Family Stone, Yardbirds, Animals and Rascals came to Staples — and what happened when they did — is fascinating and compelling. Also very, very cool.

Last summer’s SRO audience of 300 in Town Hall loved the video. Thousands of others wondered if they could see it too.

Now they can.

Earlier today, Vimeo released “The High School That Rocked!” in the US and Canada, via video on demand. (Click here to stream it now.)

It’s well worth the half hour. And I’d say that even if I was not one of the interviewees.

Though he’s glad the film is now available to all current and former Westporters, Cantor believes there’s a much wider audience out in Vimeo land.

He’s right. You don’t need any connection with Staples to download “The High School That Rocked!” You just have to be a fan of the best music ever.

Of course, if you don’t know anything about Westport, you won’t get the sly reference in the credits at the end.

The film was produced by “Sally’s Record Dept. Productions.”

high-school-that-rocked-poster

 

 

3 Comments

Posted in Entertainment, Looking back, Media, People, Staples HS

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Remembering Saul Haffner

Posted on December 2, 2017 | 3 comments

Saul Haffner died Tuesday, after a brief illness. He was 87.

He served on the RTM, was a member of the Y’s Men, and taught photography and writing at the Senior Center and Norwalk Community College.

Haffner was a US Army veteran. Professionally, he was an engineer who worked on NASA’s Gemini program, as well as a professor of business and marketing at Sacred Heart University.

But he is perhaps best known as a justice of the peace. In fact, he may have been the nation’s foremost authority on the subject. In 2009, I profiled Haffner for “06880.” Here’s that story:

“In the beginning of time,” Haffner says — back when he worked for the Congregation of Humanistic Judaism, not 1362 (the first time time “Justice of the Peace” appeared in English law) — he fielded calls from couples looking for rabbis to perform interfaith weddings. They were hard to find — so he vowed that when he retired, he would become a JP and do those ceremonies.

Fun fact: Every Connecticut town is allocated a certain number of JPs, based on the number of registered voters. Westport has 60 — equally divided between Democrats, Republicans and independents.

Saul Haffner (left) and a couple he married on Compo Beach.

After becoming a Justice of the Peace in 2001, Haffner wondered how anyone would find him. He looked around for a national JP organization. There was none. So he and his wife, Barbara Jay, formed one.

Their website — JPUS.org — is now the go-to source for JPs around the country. The site offers a registry (JPs can include their political affiliation, ethnicity, religion and languages spoken); resources and guides for personalizing weddings; an interactive forum (with topics like “code of ethics,” “same-sex ceremonies” and “how the economy is affecting the JP business”), and discounts on JP merchandise (certificates, embossing seals, chuppas, etc.).

Haffner performs 10 or so weddings a year. That’s low, he admits. But the JP does not want to compete with members of his own JP association.

Saul’s motto is “Your wedding, your way.” He’s married couples on motorcycles, on a boat that sailed into the sunset (Haffner returned to shore via rowboat), and in Scottish clothing (the bride and groom gave him a kilt).

“Weddings are such a happy occasion,” he says.  “I come away from each one on a real high.”

Not bad for a job with no requirements, no entry fees, and no experience needed.

(Hat tip: Jessica Bram)

3 Comments

Posted in People, religion

Tagged , ,

Pic Of The Day #228

Posted on December 1, 2017 | Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #228

First Selectman Jim Marpe — and a bunch of little kids — officially lit the Christmas tree in front of Town Hall this evening. Then came family picture time.

Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #228

Posted in Local politics, Pic of the Day

Tagged ,

Santa Comes To Bridgeport — And Westport

Posted on December 1, 2017 | 6 comments

Last year, “06880” posted an urgent plea for help. The Cesar Batalla School in Bridgeport was running a toy drive for their elementary school students. But they were falling far short.

Their kids were in desperate situations: the highest poverty brackets, shelters, you name it. 100% are fed breakfast and lunch at school. Their families have no money for basic necessities — let alone holiday gifts.

Westporters came through — big time.

Some of the presents that poured in to the Cesar Batalla Elementary School last year. (Photos/Jimeale Hede)

This year, alert — and generous — “06880” reader Alexis Donnerstag remembered the drive. She asked how she could contribute again. I hadn’t heard anything from the school. But I sent her a link to their website.

Within a couple of hours, Benji Labrador called. He’s the school security officer. He said the woman who handled the drive last year is gone. He’s in charge, but did not know about the “06880” connection.

Now he does. And so do you.

Anyone can order gifts online — at Amazon, for example — and have them shipped to Benji at the school: 606 Howard Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606. Click here for a direct link to Amazon’s Cesar Batalla page. You can drop gifts off at Vincent Palumbo Salon (616 Post Road East) — or directly at the school too.

For more information, email blabrador@bridgeportedu.net, or homerun5@optimum.net.

Meanwhile, closer to home, there’s a tree lighting — plus hot chocolate, s’mores and sliders — at the Riverside Avenue plaza (between Saugatuck Sweets and The Whelk) this Sunday (December 3, 4:30 to 7 p.m.) Santa arrives at 5:15 p.m.

The Gault family invites everyone to come. But they hope you’ll bring an unwrapped toy for a child age 10 or under. All gifts will be donated to Al’s Angels.

Who are they? Well — in addition to providing holiday joy for countless kids in the area — they’re the volunteers who light the William Cribari Bridge, just a couple of yards away from the plaza.

A little gift goes a long way.

6 Comments

Posted in Children, Local business, People, Saugatuck

Tagged , , , , ,

White Barn Property Deal Is Near

Posted on December 1, 2017 | Comments Off on White Barn Property Deal Is Near

The White Barn property — once the site of Lucille Lortel’s theater, more recently rumored to be the site of 15 luxury homes — may remain undeveloped after all.

The 15.4 acre site in Norwalk’s Cranbury neighborhood — on the border of Westport — will be sold to the Norwalk Land Trust, for $5 million. If, that is, the non-profit raises that money by April 1.

Westporters have watched the long-running drama involving the property — and Lortel’s stage (which, though actually in Norwalk, used a Westport address from 1947 to 2002) — with interest.

Some hoped to save a legendary structure. Others are concerned about the environmental and aesthetic impacts of a new housing development on the wooded site.

Norwalk Land Trust is applying for a loan from the national Conservation Trust. If you’d like to help, click here.

(Hat tip: Scott Smith)

A portion of the White Barn property.

Comments Off on White Barn Property Deal Is Near

Posted in Arts, Environment, Organizations, Real estate

Tagged , , ,

Friday Flashback #68

Posted on December 1, 2017 | 10 comments

The other day — while cleaning his garage — alert “06880” reader David Squires found this thin aluminum sign:

He remembers exactly when and how he got it: While house-sitting for his distant relatives, the Baldwins, on Bayberry Lane. Herb Baldwin was Westport’s 1st selectman from 1957-67. He was best known for masterminding the town’s purchase of Longshore — from conception to approval — in just 17 days.

Baldwin was in his 1st term in 1958, when Westport was named an all-America city.

The National Civic League has presented 10 awards each year, since 1949. They go to places where citizens “work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon results.” All-America winners can be neighborhoods, villages, towns, counties or regions, as well as “cities.”

If you were around in 1958 — and remember any hoopla associated with the honor — click “Comments” below.

10 Comments

Posted in Friday Flashback, Organizations

Tagged ,

Dads And Daughters Make “Nutcracker” Sparkle

Posted on December 1, 2017 | 3 comments

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

You know that, because this weekend “The Nutcracker” dances into town.

The Westport Academy of Dance‘s 36th annual production is set for tomorrow and Sunday (December 2 and 3) at Staples High School.

It’s an area-wide show — but Westporters figure prominently. Staples seniors Julia Rosier, Rachel Wolfe, Kelley Flynn, Jessie Parker and Izzy Chun are featured performers. They and their 120 fellow dancers began rehearsing in August.

Izzy Chun takes the spotlight.

It never gets old: This is the 12th “Nutcracker” for Julia and Rachel.

It’s also the 6th — and last — year that Rachel will dance with her dad.

In 2012, Michael volunteered for the role of “Father.” (The dance role, that is. He’d already fulfilled his biological and emotional roles.)

Michael has been all-in, doing something most fathers never think about — let alone follow through with. Two years ago, he wrote about the experience on his blog.

Michael and Rachel Wolfe.

But they’re not the only Westport father/daughter team. Jessie’s dad Greg has worked backstage for 7 years. Like Michael, he wanted to do what he could to share his then-little girl’s passion.

Everyone knows “The Nutcracker” story. But there are always stories behind the story.

For the final time this weekend, Michael Wolfe and Greg Parker will enjoy theirs.

(“The Nutcracker” will be performed tomorrow [Saturday, December 2] at 3 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 3 at 2 p.m. Click here for tickets.)

3 Comments

Posted in Arts, Children, Organizations, People, Teenagers

Tagged , , , , ,

Pic Of The Day #227

Posted on November 30, 2017 | 11 comments

Saugatuck River, 7:30 am (Photo/Carolanne Curry)

11 Comments

Posted in Pic of the Day

Tagged ,

Surprise! Steinkraus Bridge Gets Holiday Lights

Posted on November 30, 2017 | 4 comments

Westporters love the American flags lining the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge downtown. Every jUNe Day (and UN Day), the bridge flies flags from all over the globe.

And every Christmas, the well-traveled bridge over the Post Road is … not lit. A golden opportunity — decorating downtown with holiday lights — is lost.

But wait!

Colleen Angione-Wiedmann — community and communications director for the Westport Downtown Merchants Association — just returned from the New Haven state Department of Transportation office. She’s holding a permit to light the bridge this year.

And … she hopes it will be done to coincide with tomorrow’s tree lighting at Town Hall (5 p.m.).

She’s just waiting for ace electrician Jim Izzo to confirm that he’s finished — and for the town to approve the installation of 4 outlets on the lampposts on both sides of the bridge (so there are no unappealing extension cords).

With those outlets — and the DMA’s purchase of lights — the bridge will offer a wonderful, warm welcome this year.

And every year to come.

This is what the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge looks like most of the time. This holiday season, the view will be different.(Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

PS: Kudos to Tracy May in the DOT office. She came here recently to meet with the WDMA and the electrician, to expedite the process. 

4 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Organizations, People

Tagged , ,

Ryan Felner: Entrepreneur, Drone Pilot, Crain’s Hero

Posted on November 30, 2017 | 7 comments

Last spring, “06880” chronicled Ryan Felner’s wild ride.

A few months earlier, the Staples High School sophomore bought a drone. He registered it, followed Federal Aviation Authority rules, and began taking beautiful photos. He added gorgeous videos, then built a burgeoning business providing real estate brokers with drone shots.

Owenoke Park, from Ryan Felner’s drone.

But he ran afoul of a new FAA regulation. Ryan lacked Remote Pilot Certification — and faced hefty fines.

Petrified, he feared for his finances, his reputation, his college chances and more.

With the help of his parents, he responded to the FAA. He passed the test. Federal regulators were pleased. In April — before giving a talk at the Maker Faire chronicling his adventures in dronedom — he received his certificate. It was presented personally, by an FAA aviation safety inspector.

Ryan Felner

Today, Ryan is flying higher than ever.

Particularly because he was just named a Crain’s New York “20 Under 20” star. He’s one of 20 young people — all under 20 years old — doing great things.

“Balancing homework and family obligations with business meetings, financial management and travel,” Crain’s says, they’re rising stars in the New York business world.

So what’s next for Ryan Felner?

His newest enterprise is more down to earth than drone photography — but only in its location.

He’s launching a sports training service linking high school athletes with parents seeking role models for their kids. SporTutors handles the transaction, for a small percentage of the $30-per-hour fee.

“It’s highly scalable,” Ryan tells Crain’s. And he’s already working with an app developer to expand the Westport pilot program into a nationwide network.

Ryan Felner (Photo/ Buck Ennis for Crain’s New York)

7 Comments

Posted in Children, Media, Organizations, People, Sports, Staples HS, technology

Tagged , , ,