Sustainable Westport says:
“We did it! We have reached our goal of inspiring (over) 150 Westporters to make a gift in support of Sustainable Westport.
“We deeply appreciate every individual who participated in our first-ever Community Giving Challenge.
“Your support helped us raise money to expand our programming in 2024, demonstrated our community’s continued commitment to sustainability, and helped us unlock an additional $10,000 challenge grant from a generous Sustainable Westport donor. When we come together, even small actions have an incredible impact! Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
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More fundraising:
While you were sleeping in on New Year’s Day, dozens of others were performing a mitzvah.
They headed to Compo Beach, and took a polar plunge.
Which they paid for.
Proceeds from the event — sponsored by Temple Israel and the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County — went to the Israel Emergency Fund.
Despite the winter temperatures, that will warm many hearts. (Hat tip: Bryan Bierman)
These Polar Plungers were freezin’ for a reason.
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This is not a proverb, but perhaps it should be: “If you find money in a tree on New Year’s Day, you will have a very prosperous year.”
And if there was such a saying, then one Westporter — out for a stroll yesterday downtown — would be in for a very lucky 2024 indeed.
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Jake Thaw is going to the College Football Playoff championship.
His University of Michigan Wolverines edged Alabama 27-20 in overtime yesterday, at the Rose Bowl. They’ll face the University of Washington next Monday in Houston (January 8, 8:15 p.m., ESPN).
It almost didn’t happen, though. The only punt that came the 2020 Staples High School graduate’s way was muffed, at the 5-yard line. Thaw did a great job of avoiding a safety, under intense pressure.
Jay Harbaugh — the UM special teams coordinator, and son of head coach Jim Harbaugh — was heavily criticized on social media for allowing Thaw to attempt the catch inside the 10, and not simply letting it bounce.
Jake Thaw, moments before the last-minute punt.
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Bridgewater Associates — the Westport-based world’s largest hedge fund, and the object of so much interest and mystery in that world — is under the media microscope again.
Not long after the publication of Rob Copeland’s tell-almost-all book “The Fund,” a Bloomberg story examines charges against the company of favoritism, age and sex discrimination.
The article includes this description of what goes on inside the office:
Because many employees at Bridgewater are in their 20s and 30s and work long hours in the Connecticut suburbs far outside New York City, romantic relationships are common, people who have worked there said….
And the togetherness extends beyond work. There are almost 100 clubs where employees can do everything from play softball to rescue pets.
Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Allan Siegert)
Bridgewater’s Nyala Farm headquarters, where romance blooms. (Photo/Nico Eisenberger)
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Bassist/composer/producer Harvie S and guitarist Sheryl Bailey kick off the 2024 Jazz at the Post year this Thursday (January 4, VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 6:30 p.m. on).
The two highly regarded musicians will be joined by saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall and drummer Steve Johns.
Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows 4 very lucky creatures.
All survived Thanksgiving and Christmas. They’re now free to stroll leisurely on Salem Road.
(Photo/Molly Alger)
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And finally … today is the birthday of Roger Miller. He was born in 1936.
He died of lung and throat cancer, at 56. But not before he wrote and recorded these classics:
(Congratulations to Sustainable Westport. To sustain “06880” with a tax-deductible contribution, please click here.)
Awesome follow up on Jake Thaw. Coaching decision to throw him in at the 5 yard line. Jake did an awesome athletic job securing the ball and leaning into tackle to stay out of the end zone. Jake is a role model for what we hope for our kids. Take a pass on some of the fun parties and work hard at ur craft to walk on to one of the best D1 programs that exist. Proud to have Thaw from Westport, and i only see a game saving secure of the ball!
There do seem to be a lot of turkeys wandering around these days. And, like deer and various other wildlife, less and less wary of humans. I know there is a hunting ban in Westport, but just curious if there are any prohibitions on just walking up to one and grabbing it to butcher and cook up for a meal?
Go Blue!
Congratulations to Jake Thaw and the Thaw Family! To earn a spot as a “walk-on” is hard work, determination and much more.
I just wish they had a daughter to play for Staples Girls Golf!
Coach Patty
Thanks for the Memory-Lane songs of Roger Miller! (as well as all the news and features you post!)
It should ALWAYS be mentioned that the cause of Miller’s cancers was smoking–a fact the tobacco companies well knew, and worked hard to hide from the public. The tobacco industry killed our friends, neighbors, countrymen and fellow humans, and should never be allowed to get away with it unscathed.
56! So young. He also wrote the song,
“Dad Blame Anything A Man Can’t Quit”
The town needs to take that tree down…