Connecticut’s 22nd “Sales Tax-Free Week” is underway.
Most clothing and footwear items under $100 are available without the 6.35% sale and use tax.
It’s timed for back-to-school shopping. Exceptions including specialty items like athletic uniforms, gloves, specialty shoes, ice skates, wet suits and jewelry.
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Tickets went on sale this morning for Wakeman Town Farm’s 10th annual Harvest Fest. The “fun-raiser” is set for Saturday, September 10 (6 to 10 p.m.).
The always-sold out outdoor affair includes seasonal fare and drink, contributed by local farmers and rock star chefs
This year’s event is cocktail-party style, with tents and multiple food stations (no sit-down dinner) so guests can mix and mingle. When the stations close, there’s Champagne, dessert and a live auction — followed by dancing to a live band.
The online auction opens September 6. Click here for more information, and details.
Scenes from a previous Wakeman Town Farm Harvest Fest.
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The Westport Library has added 5 new works to its collection. All are hung inside — and all are the works of 3 artists, all with Westport connections.
They include a piece donated by 1966 Staples High School graduate and internationally known artist Charles Joyner; an iconic image of Muhammad Ali donated by photographer Richard Frank, and 3 collages by Fred Otnes.
Joyner came to Westport in 1964 from North Carolina. He was 16 years old, part of the American Friends Service Committee’s “Southern Negro Student Program” which placed Southern Black students with Northern host families.
Joyner graduated from Staples High School in 1966. He’s spent the past 50-plus years as an artist, printmaker, photographer and college professor. His work has been shown across the US and Africa. This past spring his exhibit — “Charles Joyner: Stepping Out on Faith” was featured in the Library’s Sheffer Gallery.
“Stepping Out on Faith” (Charles Joyner)
Frank has lived in Westport for more than 30 years with his wife Leona, a painter and art teacher. In addition to many notable works, he documented the Library’s Transformation Project, completed in 2019. His 1969 Ali image is one of his most famous.
“Muhammad Ali, Jake’s Diner, Athens, Ohio” (Richard Frank)
Otnes moved to Westport in 1953. He quickly became part of the town’s community of illustrators, working and living here until his death in 2015 at age 89.
The 2 paintings by Fred Otnes and the Joyner piece all hang in the Library’s mezzanine. The Otnes illustration is in a conference room, while the Ali image is located prominently in the 1st-floor stairwell.
For more on the Library’s art, click here.
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Save the dates:
The Westport Downtown Association’s 3rd annual Fitness & Health event returns on Saturday, September 18, on Main Street and nearby.
Fleet Freet, TAP Strength, Club Sweat, Pure Barre, Row House, The Dance Collective, Pause + Purpose, First Step and Kaia Yoga Center have already signed on. More details will be announced soon.
Also back: the 4th annual Westoberfest (Saturday, October 15, Elm Street). It’s a day of Oktoberfest-style entertainment. Local and regional craft breweries offer seasonal and classic pours, plus live music, plenty of food, market vendors and family-friendly activities. Click here for more information, and tickets.
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Violins and golf don’t often go together.
But Suzuki Music School plans a fundraiser for September 16 — at the Yale golf course.
The non-profit serves many area youngsters, including those through the KEYS of Bridgeport program. They receive free music instruction and performance opportunities.
The event — one of the last chances to play golf at Yale, before a 2-year renovation — includes cart, food and beverages, prizes and live music.
Entry is $350 for a single player, $1200 for a foursome. For more information, click here.
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Today’s very cool “Westport … Naturally” photo comes from Lucy Zeko. She took it this weekend, at Burying Hill Beach.
(Photo/Lucy Zeko)
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And finally … Malvina Reynolds was born on this day, in 1900. You may not know the singer/songwriter/political activist’s name — but you probably know her music. She died in 1973.
