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Yesterday — the middle of the Westport Library’s 3-day VersoFest — included a keynote speech by Michael Jai White.
The actor/writer/producer/martial artist/former Westport personal trainer described his upbringing in Bridgeport, his career in the movie industry, and his quest to bring a full-scale, state-of-the-art, employing-hundreds studio and production facility to Connecticut.
“I was not put on this earth to make a billion dollars,” he told the crowd. “I’m here to share a billion dollars.”
Michael Jai White (Photo/Dan Woog)
Another highlight from yesterday: the announcement that Tammy Winser is the winner of the contest to design a cover for Verso Studios’ new record label
It’s the first label for any library, anywhere in the country. Music will be produced at the Westport Library’s high-tech studio.
Tammy’s work was chosen from dozens of entries. Here it is:
Meanwhile, all the album covers entered in the contest were shown on the Library’s big screen, prior to the big reveal:
(Photo/Dan Woog)
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Yesterday was also the Rotary Day of Service.
Westport’s Sunrise Club gathered (in early morning hail) at grungy I-95 Exit 17.
Sixteen members (and 3 spouses) collected 17 large bags of trash, along the roadside and ramps. Their haul included liquor bottles, masks, bumpers — and a passport. Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department hauled it away.
Numerous passing drivers honked, and gave thumb’s-up. Now all they have to do is stop tossing liquor bottles, masks and passports out their windows.
Sunrise Rotary members Bruce Fritz and Paul Keblish clean up Charles Street …
… while Maria Fraioli snags a stray bumper.
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Last month, the state General Assembly suspended Connecticut’s 25-cent gas tax. They also added a second “Sales Tax-Free Week” to the annual summer holiday.
The spring “Sales Tax-Free Week” begins today (Sunday, April 10). It runs through Saturday (April 16).
This week, sales of clothing and footwear costing less than $100 will not be subject to sales tax.
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Westporters were out in force yesterday, taking advantage of the nice weather to beautify their land.
Among them: a woman at the historic Jesup Road property just west of the police station.
(Photo/Robin Myers)
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In the 1950s and early ’60s, the Downshifters were Westport’s premier hot rod club.
The club is long gone. So are hot rods. And the members are getting up in age.
But the ones who are still around have a new project: varsity jackets.
They’re ordering those sharp-looking jackets, complete with logo. And you don’t have to be a former member to order one.
Contact Morgan Smith for details: aeronaca33@gmail.com. The deadline is April 15.
So you’ve got to hurry. But don’t speed.
Downshifters jacket.
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Staples High School Class of 1971 graduate Bonnie Erickson offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” treat.
She spotted this beauty in the Saugatuck River, near the Library Riverwalk:
(Photo/Bonnie Erickson)
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And finally … the Westport Library’s VersoFest ends tonight, with what is sure to be a kick-ass performance by Selwyn Birchwood. If you haven’t yet heard of the rising blues artist — you will. Click here for more information, and tickets.
The clean up efforts of the Sunrise Rotary are fabulous. We all should do our part by simply picking up trash as we see it and placing it in a receptacle, in our cars for disposal or even carrying back to our homes for disposal. Good neighbor/resident actions can truly make a difference. Please consider.
Don Bergmann
Thanks, Don. You would make a good Westport Sunrise Rotarian. Let me know.