Today’s Westport Rotary Club LobsterFest is on, “rain or shine.”
And it will be rain.
Despite the forecast, Rotarians and others were busy yesterday, preparing Compo Beach for the large crowd (still) expected this afternoon.
Among the volunteers: members of the Staples Service League of Boys (SLOBs), Builders Beyond Borders, M&T Bank and the National Charity League.
A few of the many volunteers setting up LobsterFest yesterday. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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The Long Lots School Building Committee holds a special meeting this Tuesday September 26, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A ).
The agenda includes 15 minutes of public comment and/or questions regarding the feasibility study project, followed by a work session with the design team for project status updates, review and discussion. The public can attend the work session, but not participate.
The Long Lots School Building Committee will continue to discuss plans at its Tuesday meeting.
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Another meeting of note: The Joint Committee of the Historic District Commission and Architectural Review Board will hold a public Zoom meeting on October 3 (7 p.m.). to review and comment on the proposed redevelopment of Parker Harding Plaza.
The notice says, “Comments offered at the meeting will be considered in anticipation of further zoning review and approvals.”
Click here for the Zoom link. Click here for all relevant materials.
One element of the planned redevelopment of Parker Harding Plaza.
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Club 203’s first event of the season Wednesday night kicked off the second year for Westport’s club for adults with disabilities.
Attendees gathered at Toquet Hall. They watched Sharuna Mahesh’s video, recapping highlights of last year — a great way to reconnect after the summer.
Then came rousing karaoke run by PJ Pitcher, and an art project hosted by MoCA Westport. I
Next up: a “Halloween Bingo and BBQ” at the Senior Center. Click here for more information.
Club 203 karaoke at Toquet Hall.
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Nile Rodgers did not have to travel far for last night’s gig at Forest Hills Stadium.
Ed Paul reports: “He played an absolute top shelf, kick-ass show.
“He and his group Chic covered not only their songs but a lot of the others from famous artists that Nile has collaborated with.
“He was very engaging with the audience, and commented that he has beaten cancer twice and while he’s currently cancer-free, he’s still old AF!”
Nile Rodgers at Forest Hills Stadium. (Photo/Ed Paul)
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Meanwhile, in the other direction, Old Dominion ripped it up at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
The multi-award-winning Nashville-based band is fronted by guitarist/vocalist Brad Tursi. Westporters know him as a 1997 graduate of Staples High School — and a former soccer star for the state finalist Wreckers.
Brad Tursi (left) with Old Dominion at Mohegan Sun. (Photo/Tom Scarice)
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Here’s a truly cool event: Small Car Company’s annual Air-Cooled Charity Car Show on October 8 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Veterans Green; free, and family-friendly).
It’s a benefit to raise funds and awareness for 2 non-profits: Northeast Community Cycles (which provides bikes free of charge to underprivileged children) and the Bikeport Co-Op (a program where youth earn bikes by attending bike safety and maintenance courses, and performing volunteer hours with local organizations).
The show features dozens of vintage Porsches, Volkswagens, Corvairs and other rare and special air-cooled cars and motorcycles from around the tri-state area.
In conjunction with the classic car show, Small Car Company has partnered with Westport’s Total Training & Endurance for a bike tour, starting and finishing at Veterans Green. The $40 per rider cost includes a post-ride meal. Funds benefit Northeast Community Cycles and Bikeport Co-Op.
Small Car Company does other good work too — for example, hosting students who attend skilled trade auto-technology schools in a “Mentors & Motors” program during the show.
Students meet and learn from experienced mentors from many sectors of the automotive industry, including historic restoration, modern production automotive repair, sales, design, and photography.
Click here for more details.
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The Gridiron Club has announced its 2023 inductees for the Staples High School Wall of Fame.
Congratulations to former players DJ Stefkovich (2006), Brian Levine (’06), Josh Kozel (’08), Matt Kelly (’09), Rob Gau (’11), James Frusciante (’13), Joey Zelkowitz (’13), Declan O’Keefe, plus Staples assistant principal James Farnen and Westport PAL football president and former PAL coach Carmen Roda.
Congratulations to all! The ceremony takes place November 3, at halftime of the Wreckers’ game against Trumbull.
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Speaking of sports: The 10th annual Westport Police Benevolent Association Golf Tournament is October 23, at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull.
It’s a scramble format. Funds raised go to college scholarships for PBA members, as well as 2 to Staples High seniors who will pursue degrees in law enforcement.
The day includes raffles, and prizes for longest drive, closest to pin, closest to line, and the winning foursome.
Checks ($250 for one participant, $1,000 for a foursome) can be sent to Westport PBA Scholarship Fund, 50 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880. Questions? Call 203-803-0215, or email jlauria@westportct.gov.
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Eleven Staples High School seniors have qualified as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.
Congratulations to Emerson Briggs, Leigh Foran, Dania Hemdan, Peter Loranger, Ellen Ou, Surya Rao, Jameson Russell, Ella Tobben, Elizabeth Turner, Darren T Weng and Gabriel Weng.
Fewer than 1 percent of the over 1.5 million students who took the PSAT/NMSQT qualifying exam will compete for 7,140 National Merit scholarships, worth more than $28 million.
National Merit semifinalists (from left): Leigh Foran, Emerson Briggs, Elizabeth Turner, Peter Loranger, Dania Hemdan, Jameson Russell, Surya Rao, Darren Weng, Gabriel Weng, Ellen Ou. Missing: Ella Tobben.
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Controversy continues to dog Dave McCormick.
On Thursday, the former Bridgewater CEO announced his candidacy for the Pennsylvania US Senate seat held by Democrat Bob Casey.
The Republican — born and raised near Pittsburgh — laid out his bona fides as a “7th-generation Pennsylvanian.”
But he also maintains a home on Beachside Avenue. And, critics say, that’s where he spends most of his time.
On Monday, as he sought the endorse of Doug Mastriano — the losing gubernatorial nominee last fall, who had considered a Senate run himself — flight records show that a plane co-owned by McCormick flew from Bridgeport to Harrisburg at 8:28 a.m. It returned to Connecticut that afternoon.
Click here for the Politico story. (Hat tip: Allan Siegert)
David McCormick
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Sorelle Gallery’s next exhibition, “A Million Possibilities,” features new works by Connecticut artist Sofie Swann. It opens Friday (September 29), with a reception no Saturday (September 30, 3 to 5 p.m.).
Born in Iran, Swann’s abstract paintings are centered around her emotional response to experiences and memories, particularly her struggle to find a place to call home after being forced to leave Iran and immigrate to the US. For more information, click here.
Artwork by Sofie Swann.
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Jay Babina earned “06880” fame as the founder/curator/mastermind of the great, creative and very wide-ranging Westport Tech Museum.
Today he returns as a contributing photographer for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Is there anything this teenager can’t do?!
(Photo/Jay Babina)
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And finally … in honor of the debate over whether Dave McCormick really lives in Pennsylvania or Westport:
(Wherever you live, you know “06880” is your “home” for local journalism. Please support our work, by clicking here. Thank you!)
Staples Wrestling and Westport Troop 39 and 139 are also volunteering today!!
I’m sure his phone records and credit card use can determine what state he spends most of his time. What state is his driver’s license from?
The Parker Harding planning and implementation SHOULD NOT at this point proceed forward until a serious effort and consideration is given to a plan for a parking garage at the Elm Street parking area. Town residents have made it very clear that proceeding with current plans are not supported by a majority of those who are speaking out against the current direction of this project. This is the time where a pause and complete reevaluation of better uses of this area and more attention to the final esthetic and open area functions.
Only 15 minutes for public comment at the Long Lots School Building Committee meeting? Sounds to me like just one more step in a march toward a predetermined outcome with little regard for public opinion. Hardly an exercise in the democratic process as traditionally understood and practiced.
Wish I could attend Parker Harding meeting entirety like many other members but we have RTM at 7:30.
But CONGRATULATIONS EMERSON👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Such a superstar like her parents. Emerson and her teammates were FIRST PLACE in the “We The People” national student civics debate.
Long Lots School Building Committee always goes over 15 minutes. They do a very fair and great job of letting the people speak.
Niles is still nailing it 🎼👏🏼