You may not have heard of Alex Filippenko.
But astrophysicists have.
The University of California professor of astronomy is the only member of both teams that revealed the accelerating expansion of the universe, which led to a Nobel Prize. He’s been voted the Best Professor at Berkeley a record 9 times.
On December 15 (8 p.m.), he’ll visit the Westport Astronomical Society — virtually — for a free lecture on “A New Surprise in the Accelerating Universe.” It’s available on Zoom, and YouTube.
Mozy is a new member of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. The local company produces a “lower-body thermal wrap engineered to keep you 100% warmer than most blankets.”
It’s perfect for “game day, drinks on the deck or a sunset hike” — and the “BYOB” (Bring Your Own Blanket) outdoor dining initiative championed by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. Click here to buy online, or email for in-person pickup: hello@getthemozy.com.
A few Mozys.
The Strickland is a new website about the New York Knicks.
They just released their first book: “Fred From Fresh Meadows: A Knicks Memoir.” Author Fred is also from Westport. The 1971 Staples High School graduate is well known to “06880” readers as a frequent commenter on a variety of topics, a documentary filmmaker, an off-Broadway producer, and a keeper of the flame of local musicians like the Remains and Charlie Karp.
Fred’s Knick bona fides go back decades. He was at Madison Square Garden for the “Here comes Wilis!” game. He stayed up late the night before the SATs to watch a big game on the West Coast. In law school he chose where to live based on which neighborhood had a team cable TV package, then chose an apartment in Manhattan based in part on proximity to Madison Square Garden.
Along the way, Fred might have inadvertently caused Jerry Lucas to have one of the worst shooting nights of his playoff career, drove with Earl Monroe to a business meeting, and sort of sued Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to get revenge for Knicks fans.
Fred is a truly good guy. He’s donating 100% of the royalties from his pandemic project to the John Starks Foundation, which provides grants to college-bound high school seniors with academic excellence, financial need and a commitment to community service.
Click here to order. Click here for more information about Fred’s memoir.
During COVID, many folks are drinking alone. Now you can do it without shame — and with the knowledge you’re helping raise money for great causes.
The Westport Woman’s Club is sponsoring a “Swirl & Sip” wine-tasting fundraiser (Wednesday, December 9, 6 to 7 p.m.). For just $25, Castle Wine & Spirits is providing sparkling wines from Italy and Spain. Silver Ribbon donates the door prize: a $200 gift certificate.
Proceeds from the virtual event help fund grants to local non-profits, and need-based college scholarships. Cheers!
Click here for tickets and more information.
MoCA Westport’s Holiday Open House has been postponed from this Saturday to next (December 12, noon to 5 p.m.).
The outdoor event includes caroling by the Staples High School Orphenians, free admission to the World Peace exhibition, performances by teachers and students of the Westport School of Music, and a holiday-themed project for kids.
There’s free hot chocolate and doughnuts, and food trucks for purchases. There is no admission fee, but MoCA suggests bringing an unwrapped toy for the Westport Police Department’s annual drive.
And finally … in honor of the Westport Astronomical Society’s lecture on the expanding universe:
Just ordered Fred’s book, congrats Fred! Looking forward to reading and reminiscing about when the Knicks were, you know, not what they are now.
I had overlooked this post…glad I caught it, as I will be definitely ordering Fred’s book (or perhaps having Santa get it for me).
Congratulations, Fred!
And so wonderful of you to be donating the proceeds! As Dan says you are “truly a good guy”.
While I do not have your Knick bona fides, I was a huge fan during the glory days and have remained loyal even throughout the Dolan era. One of our great memories is Cathe and I counting contractions while watching the Knicks beat the Bullets one Sunday afternoon (Monroe was still with the Bullets, but the pesky Fred Carter was hot that day). We waited till the game ended before heading off to LI College Hospital in Brooklyn. Our beautiful first-born, Angela, must have known not to arrive too early as she was born two hours later! Had she been a boy, I was considering lobbying to name “him” Clyde.
Tommy and Bill, thanks for your support and good wishes. And thanks Dan for posting about this.
I went to law school and played soccer with Fred in the late 70’s. Ended up living in Fairfield after law school. Fred turned me on to Sally’s Place and the music of The Remains, Fred one of the truly best people ever, infectious sense of humor and life.
Wow, John, it’s been such a long time—and thanks for your high praise! Hope you’re doing OK in these unprecedented times.