First Selectman Jen Tooker says:
“The scene in Buffalo this past weekend was horrifying, and I send my deepest condolences to all those affected.
“Along with help from TEAM Westport, our law enforcement colleagues, our houses of worship and our extensive non-profit organizations, we continue to strive to ensure that this community is a place where residents, business owners and visitors feel safe, supported, and have a sense of belonging.
“This important work is ongoing, and there is still progress to be made. As first selectwoman, I want to personally re-state my commitment to these efforts in Westport. Thank you for your support on this journey.”
Nine of the 10 victims of the mass execution in Buffalo.
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This is Emergency Medical Services Week.
It’s long overdue.
Westport EMS deputy director Marc Hartog knows this has been an exceptionally tough couple of years.
“The EMTs and paramedics of Westport EMS continue to rise to the challenge every day, and play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our community.” he says.
“Relieving pain and suffering, caring for sick and injured patients, saving lives is just part of the experience of responding to the public’s calls for help. EMS providers, whether paid or volunteer, take on many crucial roles every day: healthcare professional; emergency manager; social worker; crisis counselor; consoler; caregiver.”.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker adds “EMS Week is a chance for our town to recognize the service and sacrifice exhibited by our EMS personnel over the past year, and to express our gratitude for all they continue to do, day in and day out, for our community.”
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker with an EMS Week proclamation. (From left): Police Chief Foti Koskinas, EMS crew chiefs Larry Kleinman and Rick Baumblatt, EMS deputy director Marc Hartog, EMS crew chief Eric Hebert, Deputy Police Chief/EMS director Sam Arciola.
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Sunday’s Super Flower Blood Moon/lunar eclipse was very cool.
It was also not easy to photograph.
Many Westporters tried. You sent your shots to “06880.” Thank you!
We did not have a Best Images contest. But if we did, the winner would be Nancy Lally.
Check them out below. You’ll be over the moon.
(Photos/Nancy Lally)
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Nearly everyone who owns a convertible loves to show it off.
Here’s your chance to impress the entire town.
Organizers of the Memorial Day parade need a few open-tops for the May 30 event. They’re used to transport dignitaries, like veterans (including the grand marshal).
If you’ve got a convertible to lend, contact Deborah Detmer at the Parks & Recreation office: 203-341-5091; ddetmer@westportct.gov.
It doesn’t get more classic than this. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
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After 2 online-only years, 2022’s “Booked for the Evening” with TV producer/ screenwriter/ author/CEO Shona Rhimes will be the most financially successful in the event’s 20 year history.
And anyone, anywhere can add to the fundraising.
Tickets for the virtual livestream (June 1, 8 p.m.). are still available. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Shonda Rhimes
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By day, it’s the Farmers’ Market. At night, it’s the Remarkable Theater.
On May 27, the Imperial Avenue parking lot — home to both — hosts a special film showing.
“Biggest Little Farm” — the award-winning 2018 documentary about the 8-year quest of a couple to trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland (and a dream) — is set for May 27. Sustainable Westport co-sponsors the event.
Tickets to this family-friendly event are $25 per vehicle. Tailgating (with food from the Market the day before?) starts at 6 p.m. The screening is at 8. Bees Knees — a popular WFM vendor — will selling their signature frozen pops.
For more information and tickets, click here.
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The next Artists Collective of Westport pop-up show is May 26-29 (2 to 6 p.m. each day; the Westport Country Playhouse barn). There’s an opening reception May 25 (6 to 8 p.m.), and artists’ talks on Sunday, May 29 (4 p.m.).
Participating artists include some very familiar names: Peg Benison, Louise Cadoux, Jeanine Esposito, Jane Fleischner, Rebecca Fuchs, Holly Hawthorne, Katya Lebrija, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Steve Parton, Nancy Reinker, Debbie Smith, Cindy Wagner and Lee Walther.
To learn more about this great Collective, click below.
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The other day, Connecticut Public Radio aired an interesting story headlined “How Medical Aid in Dying May Change the Way We Live.”
one of the guests is Lynda Bluestein. A longtime member and former board chair of Westport’s Unitarian Church, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Now she’s working hard to get “medical Aid in dying” legislation passed in the state.
Westport’s State Senator Will Haskell and State Representative Jonathan Steinberg were very public supporters of a recent bill attempting — for the 16th time — to get Connecticut legislation passed. Once again, the bill did not make it out of the Judiciary Committee.
Click here for more details, and to listen.
Lynda Shannon Bluestein (Photo courtesy of The CT Mirror)
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Saturday’s fundraiser for AWARE — the great, generous non-profit (Assisting Women with Actions, Resources and Education) — was postponed a day by rain.
Attendees had a wonderful time. And if you’re not “aware” of how much they do for women and children in the area, click here.
Enjoying the AWARE event (from left): Erica Davis, Amy Saperstein, Allegra Gatti Zemel, Michele Glassman, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Mafe Cala, Stephanie Tobin.
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Andy Gundell has been nominated for a regional Emmy Award, in Original Composition and Arrangement. It is for music from a Black Lives Matter program that streamed online in February 2021 from the Unitarian Church in Westport. Gundell is a 13-time Emmy winner already.
The program — “Revealing History–How We Got Here, Why It Matters” — was produced by the church’s Women’s Group. It is a powerful multi-media tribute to the BLM movement, and the history of racial injustice in America. Click here for a link.
Andy Gundell
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows birds of a feather flocking together, at Compo Beach near the kayak launch.
It won’t be long before they’re joined — at least, not far from the rocks — by crowds of humans, flocking together too.
(Photo/JD Dworkow)
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And finally … if you’re on the fence about lending your convertible for the Memorial Day parade (see story above), this might inspire you:
Sad about no medical aid in dying. Call it post birth abortion and the Democrats will get behind it immediately 😂