One of Westport’s newest — but quick-selling-out — traditions is the Westport Public Schools’ Pops Concert.
The Levitt Pavilion event — featuring the Staples High School Symphonic Orchestra and Band, Jazz Ensemble, Choralaires and other small ensembles — returns Friday, June 9 (7 p.m.). The host is Westport’s own music and media maestro, David Pogue.
Tickets will be available at staplesmusic.org beginning at 9 a.m. on May 31. They’re first-come, first-served — and free! (A donation of $15 per ticket is suggested, to help offset the concert’s production costs.)
The Levitt lawn opens at 5:30 p.m. BYO chair — but food trucks will be there for picnickers.
2022 Pops Concert. (Photo/Allison Ginzburg)
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The use of automated cameras to enforce speed limit and red light violations in Connecticut moved closer to reality yesterday.
The House voted 104-46 in favor. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Enforcement would be limited to school zones, pedestrian safety zones and other locations approved by the Office of State Traffic Administration. Speeders would have to go at least 10 miles per hour over the limit to get an automated ticket.
Fines would not surpass $50 for a first offense, $75 for a second offense. Revenues would go to municipalities, to be used for traffic-related expenses.
Click here for the full story, on Connecticut Mirror.
Red light traffic camera.
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Pulitzer Prize finalist Nicholas Dawidoff is the main attraction tomorrow night at the Westport Library
He’ll join former Assistant US Attorney Althea Seaborn to talk about his book The Other Side of Prospect: A Story of Violence, Injustice, and the American City (Thursday, May 25, 7 p.m.).
He will be in conversation with Norwalk Community College Professor and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Althea Seaborn.
Dawidoff spent 8 years researching and writing in his hometown of New Haven. Urban decay, white flight and redlining helped contribute to the transformation of Newhallville. Dawidoff makes these symptoms of “racist neglect” vividly clear.
Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Nicholas Dawidoff
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Breast cancer is no laughing matter.
But Pink Aid — the organization offering support and financial assistance to patients during treatment, and their families — will benefit from a night of comedy next month.
The event is June 1 (7 p.m., Chabad of Westport). Featured comedians include Cody Marino, Beau McDowell, Andrew Ginsburg and Nick Scopoletti. Tickets ($75 each) include 2 drinks, popcorn and candy. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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Twenty soon-to-graduate high school rowers were honored for their hard work, persistence and commitment Monday, by the Saugatuck Rowing Club. Nine live in Westport.
Saugatuck Rowing Club seniors from Staples High School (from left): Elisabeth Chadwick, Janna Moore, Dylan Halky, Wyatt Dodge, Jesse Herman, Luke Miller, Cooper Weyers, and Vincent Penna all attend Staples. Andrew Bacro (not pictured) attends the Pierrepont School,
The seniors and other teammates competed last weekend to qualify for Young Nationals in Sarasota, Florida in June.
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First Five Guys closed (for renovations?).
Now there’s a “For Lease” sign in front of Shake Shack.
Maybe Big Top or Chubby Lane’s can come back …
(Hat tip: Bruce Schneider)
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Robin Tauck returned to the University of Vermont on Sunday. This time, the 1977 graduate gave the commencement address at graduation ceremonies for the Grossman School of Business.
Robin is a longtime Westporter. She is a 3rd-generation oo-owner and former president and CEO of Tauck Inc., the luxury travel company started by her grandfather in 1925, and headquartered for many years here.
She is a business graduate of UVM, Stanford University’s Executive Business Program, and the University of Cambridge Leaders Sustainability Program.
She was recently honored at the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame in Hartford, for her career in “Global Impact.”
Robin Tauck
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The Pequot Library is not actually in Westport.
But with so many local connections, it might as well be.
For example, Westporter Coke Anne Wilcox is president of the board of trustees. Caroline Calder serves as vice president, while Belinda Shepard and Richard “Deej” Webb are both trustees.
Westport poet laureate/Westport Writers’ Workshop instructor Jessie McEntee handles marketing and communications at Pequot.
Alex Heekin works in development. Jane Manners is the beloved children’s Librarian. Leslie Mahtani, also a librarian, works at the circulation desk.
Though the Pequot Library receives 20% of its annual funding from the town of Fairfield, it must raise the other 80% on its own.
One method: an annual Southport Garden Stroll. This year’s event — a behind-closed-gates peek at 8 stunning outdoor space — is June 2. Click here for tickets, and more information.
One more Westport tie-in: TV host/author/lifestyle expert/realtor Mar Jennings hosts the June 1 Champagne & Canapé kickoff party.
Pequot Library.
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A new farm dinner — an “intimate, bourbon-inspired” event — has been added to the Wakeman Town Farm menu.
It’s July 12. But, WTF notes, it makes a great Fathers Day gift.
Chef Lamour Workman promises that each course will be paired with a specialty bourbon, created by Bridgeport’s Fifth State Distillery.
Tickets are $125 each. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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Longtime Westporter Sophia Makowski, most recently of Wallingford, died peacefully on Saturday.
The 9th child of 10, and a “second mother” to several family members, Sophie is remembered for her “incredible endurance, priceless humor, sharp wit, and unending support of her loved ones.” Loved by all who met her.
Sophia’s funeral is tomorrow (Thursday, May 25, 11 a.m., Assumption Church). Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Greens Farms Road.
Click here to leave online condolences. Contributions in Sophia’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Sophia Makowski
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Thanksgiving is a solid 6 months away.
So this turkey figured it was safe to strut his stuff.
Luisa Francoeur took his “Westport … Naturally” photo on Broadview Road, during her morning walk.
(Photo/Luisa Francoeur)
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And finally … Linda Lewis died earlier this month, near London. She was 72.
I never heard of her. But the New York Times took note. She was “a critically acclaimed soul singer and songwriter whose pyrotechnic voice propelled four Top 10 singles as a solo artist in her native Britain and led to work as a backup vocalist on acclaimed albums by stars like David Bowie, Cat Stevens and Rod Stewart.”
The newspaper added: “Ms. Lewis drew raves for her soaring five-octave vocal range and impressed listeners with her genre-hopping instincts, drawing from folk, R&B, rock, reggae, pop and — with more than a nudge from label executives — disco.”
Click here for the full obituary. And enjoy (as I did) this sampling of her work:
(If you get a ticket to the Westport Pops Concert, thank “06880.” You can say thanks with a contribution, too — just click here. Thank you!)