Westport was not represented on the field, at last night’s Super Bowl.
But our neighbor Christian Siriano was part of the action. At least, part of one of the multimillion-dollar ads.
The fashion designer — whose Collective West store is a popular Post Road East destination — was there in the front row, in a “Clueless”-themed Rakuten advertisement with Alicia Silverstone.
(Screenshot and hat tip/Dave Briggs)
There must have been other “06880”/Super Bowl connections. If you know of any, click “Comments” below.
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Speaking of the Super Bowl: On Saturday residents flocked to Stop & Shop, stocking up for the big game.
Many paused at both entrances. Members of the Sunrise Rotary Club, Westport Police Department, Westport Police Athletic League and Representative Town Meeting were there to collect non-perishable items.
From a couple of cans to a few full shopping carts, generous Westporters reaped rewards for 2 great causes: Homes with Hope, and our Department of Human Services food pantries. (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)
Westport Police Department officials and others, with food at the Gillespie Center. Rear, from left: Officers Sean Doyle and David Lovallo, Chief Foti Koskinas, RTM member Andrew Colabella, Officers Scott Thompson and Dominique Carr. Front: unidentified, and Anna Rycenga of the Westport PAL.
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Not everyone who wanted to, could make it to the coat-and-more collection drive for Ukraine, at the last 2 Westport Farmers’ Markets.
Organizer Mark Yurkiw said he’d accept donations at his home.
Yesterday, he welcomed a big one. Several Rowayton residents showed up in 5 cars. All were completely filled with clothes and other gear — including fur coats. It took an oversized van to truck it all to Redding, where it will be crated and shipped overseas.
The Rowayton folks said they felt powerless to help — until they heard of the coat drive. They asked what else they could bring, and do.
Mark continues to accept donations. Email mark.think3d@gmail.com for details.
From Rowayton to Ukraine, with live. Artist Mark Yurkiw created the Ukrainian symbol on his garage door.
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The next community trash pick-up takes place this Sunday (February 19, 11 a.m.) at the Westport train station.
The meeting place is the lower level parking lot on the New York-bound side, next to Luciano Park (near the EV chargers).
All volunteers are welcome. Bring trash bags, gloves and boots, and dress warmly.
Questions? Email acolabellartm4@gmail.com.
A previous trash pick-up, on Greens Farms Road.
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The Westport Astronomical Society’s 25 Obsession telescope has been a workhorse for over 30 years.
But it’s a beast — and very difficult to set up and take on the road. With great attendance at their public nights, the WAS needs another instrument.
It’s got to be powerful — but light enough to pack it up and set it outside, for sidewalk astronomy.
They’ve got their eyes set (ho ho) on a New Moon Telescope — 20″, with an f3.5 mirror and some cool add-ons.
For nearly a decade, they’ve fundraised on Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Giving Day. They’ll do it again on February 23. Their goal is $10,000.
The 24-hour online drive is a local competition. All tax-deductible contributions could help WAS win major prizes. Mark your calendar for February 23 — and bookmark your calendar here.
New Moon telescope.
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It’s hard to know who had a better time Saturday night, at the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s first-ever Winter Ball: the young girls, or their dads (or other loved ones) who escorted them.
A crowd of over 100 danced to a DJ, enjoyed refreshments, and visited a photo booth and nail painter.
Attendees also brought food items, and made other donations to Homes with Hope.
Jay and Sophia Skye Norris visit the photo booth, at the Y’s first Winter Ball.
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The other day, 12 Coleytown Middle School students participated in the Southwestern Connecticut “Mathcounts” competitions. Adan Wang, Adrianna Gavriloiu, Ayush Rudra and Owen Wood finished second. All 4 mathletes will represent the school at the state competition next month.
Ayush, Owen and Adan finished #1, 7 and 11 respectively in the individual competition.
Other Coleytown competitors included Adrianna Gavriloiu, Akil Arvind, Anit Arvind, Zylan Wang, Luke Cooper, Ulysses Nixon, Alex Liakh, Justin Jendrock and Luci Trinchi.
Congratulations to all!
Joining the competition host and Coleytown Middle School Math Club coach Archi Rudra are (from left) Adan Wang, Ayush Rudra, Owen Wood and Adrianna Gavriloiu.
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Marcello Deaguero is a noted local DJ for schools, charities, parties, bar and bat mitzvahs — and the instructor for the popular “Dance with Marcello.”
He recently relocated his class to a new studio. It’s in the back of the Dance Collective building (222 Post Road West).
Marcello is celebrating the move with free classes throughout the month. Everyone — from people who know him through his DJ work, to newcomers looking for a good dance or fitness class — is welcome for free, all month long.
Click here for more information.
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Today is the 47th anniversary of Dorothy Hamill’s near-perfect, gold medal-winning, ice skating performance at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.
The Greenwich native became an international superstar. In 1993, an AP poll ranked her and Mary Lou Retton as the most popular athletes in America, far ahead of people like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Troy Aikman, Dan Marino, Wayne Gretzky, Joe Montana and Nolan Ryan.
Today, Greenwich’s town-owned rink is named for Dorothy Hamill.
But in 1976, Westport took pride in her accomplishments too. As a youngster, she frequently skated on Round Pond, off Compo Road South — just opposite the entrance to Longshore, where her relatives lived.
Click here for more on Dorothy Hamill, thanks to “Today in Connecticut History.”
Dorothy Hamill, in 1976.
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Last week John Hamilton and Fiona Wilkes of Liberation Programs — a Bridgeport-based nonprofit that provides support to people with substance use disorders — addressed the Westport Rotary Club.
Liberation president and CEO Hamilton noted that fentanyl has surpassed heroin and other opiates as a leading cause of drug overdoses. With 100,000 overdoses per year nationally, the need for recovery programs has increased dramatically. But only 1 out of 10 people who qualify for treatment reaches out and accepts it.
Wilkes — the director of development and communications — said that all households should have the opiate overdose treatment Narcan in their medicine cabinets.
John Hamilton of Liberation Programs, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo and hat tip/Dave Matlow)
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Today’s “What’s Next in Weston” podcast features 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor’s interview with the town’s public safety communications director, Larry Roberts.
It’s the first in a 2-part discussion of the Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network, the statewide emergency communications system that will provide important coverage for area towns.
Click below to listen. The podcast is a service of the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
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Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.
Weston’s Jolantha gets ready to pig out.
(Photo/Hans Wilhelm)
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At Christmastime, there are only 7 swans a-swimming.
The other day, “Westport … Naturally” photographer Rick Benson counted more at Sherwood Mill Pond.
He did not see 6 (Canada) geese a-laying. Happily, there was not even one.
(Photo/Rick Benson)
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And finally … Peter Tork was born today, in 1942.
The Monkees’ keyboardist and bass guitarist grew up in northeastern Connecticut; his father was an economics professor at the University of Connecticut. He was a member of the first-ever graduating class at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs.
Tork — whose real last name was Thorkelson — had cousins who attended school in Westport.
He died in Mansfield, Connecticut in 2019, 10 years after being diagnosed with cancer.
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Well, Karen and Eric Thorkelson (I remember it being spelled Thorkelsen, but that’s OK) were classmates of ours. Also, I think Eric rose to being Publisher of Better Homes & Gardens, I could be wrong about the exact company he worked for. You need to do a retrospective of prominent Staples grads in publishing and media. Mike Perlis CEO of Forbes comes to mind.
Isn’t that a picture of Davy Jones?
It’s not a picture. It’s a link to the “Daydream Believer” video, which features Peter Tork on keyboard.
The Monkees. The best the US could come up with on short notice. The greatest rock band will always be The Stones.
At the time I went to Carleton College in MN, Peter Tork was the most famous alum – at least as far as pop culture celebs were concerned. Was surprised about the CT connection when I read his obit back in 2019; I’d figured him for a Minnesotan thanks to the Scandinavian surname and the fact that the majority of my classmates were from the region.
Re Super Bowl XVII commercials, they tend to suffer from what we ad folks call “Borrowed Interest.” E.g., re-creations of old movies and TV shows like “Clueless” and “Breaking Bad which have no relevance to the brands being promoted (a cash back e-commerce portal and a snack food, respectively.)
Traditionally ad agencies test commercials to see what percentage of viewers remember the name of the product and its unique selling proposition. In the case of the two ads I mentioned above, I’d suspect the score to be in the single digits at best.
Sorry Super Bowl LVII
Music like all art is subjective. Saying one band is their e best falls into that category. I preferred Captain Beefheart am I wrong? Doubt it. MC5 we’re pure rock and roll too.