Phase 2 of Connecticut’s reopening begins next Wednesday (June 17). It’s a big day for Governor Ned Lamont. And at 9 a.m., he shares it with the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
He’s the special guest and speaker for their virtual “Morning Network” meeting. The event is free — and open to all.
Lamont will give an update on the pandemic, discuss the next phase in reopening, offer his views on the future, and answer questions. They may be submitted ahead of time by email, or through the chat function during the event.
Pre-registration is required; click here.
Governor Ned Lamont
Also virtual — and also featuring big names — is the Westport Library’s next Trefz Newsmakers series.
CBS News justice and homeland security correspondent (and 1988 Staples High School graduate) Jeff Pegues interviews billionaire businessman, hedge fund manager, major Democratic Party donor, Milwaukee Bucks co-owner (and Westport resident) Marc Lasry.
They’ll talk about Lasry’s career, how he gives back, his advice for entrepreneurs, and COVID-19’s effect on business and the sports world.
To register, click here.
Driving around Westport and Weston, Aarti Khosla has been touched by the many yard signs and balloons congratulating high school and middle school graduates. She’s been impressed by the banners on Main Street, not far from Le Rouge — her “aartisan” chocolate shop.
But as she thought about all that’s going on America today, she was inspired to act on the words that she fervently believes in: “Spread love.” And what better place to spread love than nearby Bridgeport?
She called the superintendent of schools, and offered to celebrate their graduates with “Give a Little Love” hearts. Here’s her message to “06880” readers:
“Next week, 1115 Bridgeport students will graduate from high school. This is an enormous accomplishment. We recognize the obstacles they overcame to achieve success.
“Le Rouge asks for your support in celebrating these graduates. We will make chocolate hearts to celebrate every Bridgeport high school senior. If each Westport graduating senior — or a relative or friend, or perfect stranger — agrees to celebrate 3 Bridgeport students with a $25 sponsorship, we can give our love to the entire community via chocolate hearts.
“We have until next Monday to make this a reality. Click here to help.”
Aarti Khosla’s wonderful chocolates
Some youngsters returned to their elementary schools for the first time since March today. It was also their last time at “their” school.
“Moving up” car parades were held for 5th graders around town. This was the scene captured by Kings Highway Elementary School parent Tricia Lau-Lewis.
All 5 kids went to KHS. The youngest will be in 5th grade there next year.
Meanwhile, after the Saugatuck El parade, Carolyn Doan’s family headed to Sunny Daes. They met some Greens Farms Elementary folks there (below).
(Photo/Carolyn Doan)
MoCA Westport shut down in mid-March. But their beautiful Steinway grand piano did not sit idle.
As part of their pandemic programming, they invited accomplished local pianists to perform. They filmed them, and shared the virtual concerts free on their YouTube page.
Pianists are invited to play music of their choice. Some — like Chris Coogan — are inspired by MoCA’s current Helmut Lang exhibition. He wrote and performed an original piece.
This week’s performance features two Staples students. Patrick Looby and Lucas Lieberman are rising seniors. They played together in November, at Carnegie Hall.
For MoCA they play Aram Khachaturian’s lively waltz “Masquerade.” Enjoy!
More music news! Drew Angus — the 2007 Staples High School grad profiled recently on “06880” as an example of a gig worker navigating his way through the coronavirus crisis — performs via Zoom this Friday (June 12, 12 noon).
It’s a Westport Senior Center production — but it’s open to everyone who wants to hear the work of this talented young singer/songwriter.
Click here for the Zoom link (meeting ID: 883 1489 6846; password: 2DHJSV). It’s also available on Facebook (click here, or search for Toquet Hall).
Here’s a sight you don’t see every day: Yesterday, a helicopter apparently headed for a landing at Old Mill Beach or Sherwood Island State Park.
If you know the back story, click “Comment” below.
And finally … this is a poignant song at any time. Particularly at graduation. And really particularly this year.
Here’s to the Class of 2020. You haven’t seen each other for a while. But you’ve come a long way from where you began. I hope you see each other for a long time, soon.
Dan, curious? Why do you call Marc’s political affiliation through his, ‘major donations’? If he wasn’t a democrat would that be a point you would mention in this story? Fair and balanced?
That’s one of the things he’s been known for. It’s also somewhat rare in the hedge fund world. It was a news story when, after the 2016 election, the Milwaukee Bucks (which he co-owns) were one of 3 NBA teams to say they would not stay at Trump-branded hotels when on the road.
I’m not sure why you’re “curious” that I included a fact about one of his major activities in the story. I’m not sure why that is not “fair and balanced” (whatever that now means).
NOTE: No further comments from “Charles Gaines” will be allowed. In attempting to verify his identity, I found that he used a false email address. As noted in the “Comments” box, all commenters must use full, real names.
So, “Charles”: feel free to man up, and tell me who you really are. I’m curious why you are afraid to use your real name.
Dan, thanks for that video of the boys playing the waltz. It was wonderful. Somehow watching them with their masks on made me incredibly sad, I don’t quite know why!