Monthly Archives: April 2019

Pic Of The Day #743

Posted on April 30, 2019 | 2 comments

On Saturday, Fairfield County Hunt Club held its annual Father-Daughter dance. The outdoors photo opp was chilly. As soon as it was done, the girls raced inside. (Photo/Diana Kuen)

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Posted in Children, Pic of the Day

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Moms Matter

Posted on April 30, 2019 | 1 comment

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12.

But you don’t have to wait that long to celebrate Mom — or, more specifically, motherhood and the “MOMents that Mattered.”

WestportMoms — the wonderful, multi-platform resource — sponsors a cocktails-and-conversation event by that name on Tuesday, May 7 (7 p.m., Pearl at Longshore).

Six rock-star local moms —

  • Alisyn Camerota, CNN anchor
  • Stephanie Szostak, star of ABC’s “A Million Little Things”
  • Melissa Bernstein, co-founder of Melissa & Doug
  • Elyse Oleksak, founder of Bantam Bagels
  • Lindsay Czarniak, sports broadcaster
  • Emily Liebert, author

— will share some of the tough choices they’ve made balancing families and careers. And they’ll talk about what makes Westport special to them.

The food is on WestportMoms. There’s also a cash bar.

Attendees are asked to bring a package of diapers, for donation to the Diaper Bank of Connecticut.

It’s all a “celebration of being moms together.”

Save the date. Then book a babysitter.

Or better yet, tell your spouse to feed the kids that day.

(Click here for more information.)

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Posted in Entertainment, Local business, Media, Organizations, People, Westport life

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Westport: A “Best Community For Music Education”

Posted on April 30, 2019 | 2 comments

The Westport Public Schools’ music department doesn’t toot its own horn.

So I will.

We’ve just been named one of the country’s Best Communities for Music Education. The award recognizes a town and school district’s “outstanding commitment to music education.”

And — drum roll, please! — this is the 7th straight year we’ve won it.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation — presented by the NAMM Foundation, which supports research, philanthropy and public service programs in the area of music education — school officials answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs.

Well played, Westport!

Encore! If you’ve never seen a Westport Schools’ Pops Concert at the Levitt Pavilion — or even if you have — click below. This year’s show is Friday, June 7. Tickets will be available soon.

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Posted in Arts, Education, Organizations

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Ray Dalio’s Dollars

Posted on April 30, 2019 | 34 comments

Ray Dalio is the highest-earning hedge fund manager on the planet.

Institutional Investor estimates that the founder of Westport-based Bridgewater Associates — often called the biggest hedge fund in the world — earned $2 billion last year.

That’s close to double his 2017 take of $1.3 billion — good for only 4th on the hedge fund manager earning list.

Let’s hope he shops locally.

(For the full New York Times story, click here. Hat tip: Gil Ghitelman.)

Ray Dalio, at Bridgewater’s Weston Road office.

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Posted in Economy, Local business, People

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Post Road Real Estate: 2 Years Later

Posted on April 30, 2019 | 49 comments

Alert “06880” reader Bob Weingarten writes:

In June 2017 I drove along the Post Road from the eastern border, near Bulkley Avenue, to the western end, near Whole Foods. I counted the number of buildings — including individual offices or retail space — for lease or sale. I spotted 50 signs, just on the Post Road.

These figures were the basis of an “06880” story: “This Space For Lease.” It drew 57 comments.

Because we have been told that the economy is “so strong,” I decided to drive the same route, and again count how many buildings or individual offices were for lease or sale.

This time I spotted over 65 for lease or sale. That does not include all the new residential construction on the Post Road, such as the 94 apartments at 1177 Post Road East, or the 2 mixed-use buildings with a total of 28 apartments (some in townhouses) at 793 Post Road East.

The former A&J’s Market on Post Road East is available …

While counting, I realized that this mix of for lease or sale buildings and offices was extremely different from 2017.

This time I spotted 2 bank buildings, a gas station, a farm market, a classic car dealer, and several large commercial buildings and retail outlets for lease or sale.

… as is the old Mobil Self-Serve near Barnes & Noble …

During the past 2 years many of the former for-lease buildings have been occupied. But it appears to me there is a larger inventory of space available now, with larger properties.

I have my own opinion as to the reasons — for example, higher rental rates or the economy — but other readers may have better knowledge.

… and the nearby bank, at the corner of Morningside Drive.

The 2017 Post Road story noted that there were “10 or so others on Main Street.” I just drove from the Post Road to Avery Place on Main Street, and counted 10 buildings or retail spaces for lease.

From Avery Place to Kings Highway North I saw an additional 3 more “for lease signs.”

The same questions posed in 2017 are still relevant today: “Is something wrong with Westport’s commercial real estate market? If so, are there solutions?”

Click “Comments” below to offer answers.

Or more questions.

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Posted in Downtown, Economy, Local business, Real estate

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Pic Of The Day #742

Posted on April 29, 2019 | 11 comments

Westport Woman’s Club (Photo/Alison Patton)

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Posted in Environment, Pic of the Day

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Beechwood Arts Celebrates Mentors

Posted on April 29, 2019 | Comments Off on Beechwood Arts Celebrates Mentors

In 2014, recenet Staples High School graduate Noah Johnson bonded quickly with Carnegie Mellon University roommate Scott Krulcik, a brilliant tech engineer.

After college, Noah was hired by Accenture. Scott worked for Google. Both were in New York City, and remained close.

Scott Krulcik

Last December Scott died of a rare, previously undiagnosed congenital heart condition. His service was filled with stories of how he had helped, encouraged and mentored many people to do more than they thought they could.

He had mentored those younger — and older — than himself. Most were on completely different life paths. He accomplished much in his short 22 years — for himself, and so many others.

Scott’s life and death gave Noah’s parents — Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito — an idea. They want to encourage people to become mentors.

Frederic and Jeanine have the perfect platform to make their plan a reality. They’re the founders and hosts of Beechwood. The series — named for their their 1806 renovated farmhouse on Weston Road — brings artists, musicians and other creative types together in unique and compelling ways.

Karl Schulz

“Beechwood Arts Celebrates Mentorship” is set for this Sunday (May 5, 3 to 6 p.m.). The salon features a special pairing: noted jazz and gospel composer/ pianist/singer/ teacher/choir director Chris  Coogan, and 14-year-old jazz pianist prodigy Karl Schulz.

Scott’s mother, father and sister are coming from upstate New York and California, to join Frederic, Jeanine and scores of others at the event.

The Beechwood Arts theme for this season is “Journeys.” It will be explored — via music, visual art, sculpture, performance, film and culinary arts — in all its forms, real and metaphorical. Click here for more information, and tickets.

Going forward, Frederic and Jeanine will provide seats to all events for 1 mentor, and 1 mentee. Email contact@beechwoodarts.org for nominations.

In honor of the mentorship celebration, Frederic and Jeanine offer these thoughts — from Scott — on what all humans should strive for, to help others:

  • Share your knowledge to help others achieve their dreams.
  • Encourage them that they can do it.
  • Celebrate them and have joy for their accomplishments.
  • Make time. Help others, in spite of your busy schedule.
  • Make things — and share what you make.
  • Give out smiles generously. You can always make more!
  • Say thank you, for all things big and small.
  • Value and honor friends and family. Show up.
  • Be accepting. Be generous. Be humble.
  • Accept the challenge — and do your best.

Beechwood House — with its magnificent copper beech tree — is the site of fascinating salons.

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Staples’ SLOBs Are Spectacular

Posted on April 29, 2019 | 4 comments

Yesterday’s wet, chilly weather forced a week’s postponement of the Main Street Outdoor Market, and Saugatuck Church’s Blessing of the Animals. It kept many Westporters indoors.

But it did not stop — or even bother — over 300 SLOBs.

Staples’ Service League of Boys’ 10th annual Service Sunday drew all those volunteers — high school boys, and their parents — to 18 work sites, in Westport, Fairfield, Norwalk and Bridgeport.

Westport venues included Earthplace, Wadsworth Arboretum, Homes with Hope’s Bachrach and Linxweiler houses, Sherwood Island State Park and Wakeman Town Farm.

Staples’ SLOBs cleaned pathways at the Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum in Westport …

The groups whacked weeds, mulched, sorted charitable donations, power-washed, prepared food drive collection bags, cleaned playgrounds and paths,  painted mailboxes, removed invasive plants, hauled and spread compost, and assembled toiletry kits.

They also donated over $5,000 worth of school supplies, snack bags and used Legos to Bridgeport schools

That was SLOBs’ Sunday. How did you spend yours?

… and helped out at the Green Village Initiative cooperative garden in Bridgeport.

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Posted in Organizations, Staples HS, Teenagers

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As Graduation Nears, A Mother Reflects

Posted on April 29, 2019 | 16 comments

The other day, Jerri Graham posted a heartfelt message on Facebook’s “Westport Front Porch” page.

“WFP” is a popular online community. But Jerri’s words deserve to reach far more people than those who are members of that group. I asked if I could repost her comments. Jerri graciously said yes.

She wrote:

This just came in the mail:

When I opened the envelope, tears flowed. My daughter will graduate from high school!

While it’s not a big deal for some, it means so much more to me.

We live in a town where we aren’t the norm. We are a minority on top of a minority on top of a minority. I’m a black woman raising a biracial daughter on an at-times stretched income of one.

I haven’t any family in sight. It has been just Cat and me for over a decade.

She’s been this solid child with a heart that is loving and giving. She’s never once complained when she’s had to go without.

Each week since she’s started working — whether at Sugar & Olives, the Y, babysitting or now at Westport Pizzeria — she gives me her pay. She knows that each dollar she gives makes up where her other parent failed her.

She’s been a great passenger in my sidecar during our life here in Westport.

Cat Graham

I came to this town to one day have this invitation in my hand. To raise a child in a clean environment, and where education matters.

I saw it in the faces of the kids around her who gobbled up chapter books, and inspired her to do the same.

I felt it in the parents who sat next to me year after year at school events when we didn’t always want to be there, but always were.

While I was forced to do it on my own, I do know that raising and educating my daughter here — where at least she had a good education, and friends — made it a lot easier.

I’m so proud of who she is, and who she will become. I’m thrilled that she knows herself well enough to forge her own path, regardless of what everyone else around her does.

Oh, the simple power of a card in the mail.

Congratulations, Staples High School Class of 2019!

And congratulations to two wonderful women: Jerri and Cat Graham!

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Posted in Education, People, Staples HS, Teenagers, Westport life

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Pic Of The Day #741

Posted on April 28, 2019 | 4 comments

The Staples High School baseball team is 11-1 overall. They’re 8-0 in the FCIAC — the only unbeaten team in the league.

Yesterday, they had a great win over Brien McMahon. Here’s the scene after Drew Rogers’ walk-off hit scored Chad Knight in the bottom of the 7th inning.

(Photo/Gregory Vasil for The Ruden Report)

They — and fellow captain Harry  Azadian — were also stars on the legendary 2013 Westport team that reached the finals of the Little League World Series.

This is their senior year at Staples. Their goal is to make it another special one.

(Hat tip: Vince Kelly)

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