On the even of today’s New York City Marathon — and a couple of weeks before Roh Simmelkjaer takes over as CEO of its organizer, New York Road Runners — the New York Times sat down for a chat with the Westport resident.
Simmelkjaer is familiar to local residents. He’s a former member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Democratic Town Committee.
Persona — the interview and conversation-focused social media startup he founded — had a heavy local presence.
Simmelkjaer has also been a top manager at ESPN, an on-air Olympics personality for NBC, and — most recently — director of the Connecticut State Lottery.
He calls the Road Runners gig his “dream job.” (He comes prepared: He’s finished the New York Marathon twice.)
Click here to learn about Simmelkjaer’s plans — including a greater focus on the mental health aspect of running, and expanding the organization’s reach — in the Times’ Q-and-A. (Hat tip: John Suggs)
Rob Simmelkjaer
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Also in today’s New York Times: a review of Paul Newman’s new posthumous memoir, “The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man.”
It’s by Richard Russo, who has some skin in the Westport actor’s game. Newman’s portrayal of Sully in the film adaptation of Russo’s novel changed the author’s life, opening doors to a screenwriting career.
Click here for the full Times piece.
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CraftWestport — the Young Woman’s League’s mega-pre-holiday fair — returns to the Staples High School fieldhouse today, after 2 COVID years off.
Among the 175-plus exhibitors: Aiden Schachter.
The Staples High School student is selling his LED lightclouds. That may be a first for the event — and he may be the youngest vendor ever.
The show runs until 6 p.m. today. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Aiden Schachter, and his lightcloud booth.
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As the political season heats up, so does the work of Marc Selverstone.
The 1980 Staples High School graduate — An associate professor in presidential studies at the University of Virginia, and chair of the Presidential Recordings Program at the Miller Center of Public Affairs there — is about to publish “The Kennedy Withdrawal: Camelot and the American Commitment in Vietnam.”
It’s called “a major revision of our understanding of JFK’s commitment to Vietnam, revealing that his administration’s plan to withdraw was a political device, the effect of which was to manage public opinion while preserving United States military assistance.”
Selverstone is an expert on the subject. At the Miller Center he edits the secret tapes of Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon.
Click here for more information, and to purchase.
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How do stress levels affect children’s brain development?
That’s the topic of the next Positive Directions “Lunch and Learn” series.
Frank Castorina, PD clinical supervisor, provides insights on November 16 (noon to 1:30 p.m., Westport Weston Family YMCA0.
It’s an important and timely topic. And lunch is provided! Click here to RSVP.
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Speaking of stress: Relax with some wine! (Adults, not kids …)
Westport Sunrise Rotary has just the ticket. Their “Westport Uncorked” wine tasting fundraiser is set for The Inn at Longshore (Friday, November 18. 6:30 p.m.).
Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, along with dozens of fine wines provided by The Fine Wine Company of Westport. (All wines are available for purchase).
Every dollar raised goes directly to charities supported by Westport Sunrise Rotary. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Good times at the 2019 Uncorked wine tasting, at the Inn at Longshore.
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In advance of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ November 25 release of “Live at the Fillmore 1997” — their first live record in over a decade — Emmy-winning Westport animator Jeff Scher has created a great video.
Viewers will recognize plenty of local scenes, including Compo Beach, North Avenue and Cross Highway. There’s also the “Heroes Tunnel” through West Rock Ridge near Wilbur Cross Parkway Exit 59 in New Haven.
Click below to see:
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Westporters turned out in force yesterday, to help the Westport police force — and folks in need.
The Police Department and Stop & Shop sponsored their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. All donations — 436 bags, filled to the brim — support Homes with Hope’s Food Pantry at the Gillespie Center. and Westport Human Services’ Food Pantry.
Some residents went out of their way to bring food. Others spotted the food drive, and added non-perishable items to their shopping lists.
At the end of the day, an entire (and enormous) truck was filled with much-needed goods. Thanks to all who contributed — and of course to the WPD, and Stop & Shop.
RTM member Jimmy Izzo, former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe (with his wife Mary Ellen and grandson Charlie), and Police Chief Foti Koskinas (center), with volunteers and Westport Police Department officers at the Thanksgiving food drive by Stop & Shop.
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“Script in Hand” — the Westport Country Playhouse’s very popular series of staged readings — returns November 14 (7 p.m.). The show is “Ripcord.”
Click here for details (including a plot summary) and tickets.
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If you’ve eaten at La Plage, you know there’s fine dining by the water.
If you’re a bald eagle, you agree. Seth Goltzer spotted this bird enjoying a tasty meal of squirrel at Longshore.
It’s the real world. And it fits perfectly with our “Westport … Naturally” concept.
(Photo/Seth Goltzer)
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And finally … Aaron Carter, the singer and actor (and brother of Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter) was found dead yesterday at his California home. He was 34.
(Your clock should have been set back an hour last night. And don’t forget to support “06880” either! Please click here to contribute.)
That bald eagle looks like a hawk to me.
The book, The New York City Marathon 25 years was published in 1995 by The NY Road Runners Club. The author was Peter Gambaccini, a former Westporter and a runner.
We agree with Amy. Our guess is a juvenile red tail hawk (thus too young for the tail to be red). Earthplace Naturalists.