The topic was deadly serious.
Literally.
But the energy was sky high yesterday, at Connecticut Against Gun Violence‘s “Be the Hope” luncheon at The Inn at Longshore.
The non-profit — which has helped make Connecticut #3 of all 50 states in the Giffords Law Center safety index, and #45 nationally in gun deaths per capita — has a strong Westport connection.
Melissa Kane is board chair, and interim director. Lisa Newman serves as treasurer; Jennifer Epstein is secretary. Kane and Epstein both spoke movingly of the importance of CAGV’s work.
Other speakers included Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and state Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani.
The keynote was delivered by Fred Guttenberg. His daughter Jaime — a talented dancer and vivacious 14-year-old — was killed in the Margery Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida on Valentine’s Day, 2018.
Guttenberg recalled his last words as she left for school that morning — “Hurry up, you’ll be late” — and stunned the large audience into silence as he recreated the sudden sound of a gun.
Guttenberg was on a cellphone with his son, who was worried he could not find his sister, when both heard the shot that killed her.
“No matter what happens in life, what matters most is what you do next,” Guttenberg said.
That is why he dedicates every day to reducing gun violence.
And that is why over 200 people were at The Inn at Longshore: to help him, and each other, do exactly that.
Gun safety advocate Fred Guttenberg, at The Inn at Longshore.
==================================================
The Gillespie Center is closed for renovations.
But no one in Westport will go hungry.
Homes with Hope has relocated its food pantry to 1655 Post Road East, near Stop & Shop).
It’s in the Sasco Creek Community Room. It’s open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The pantry has been expanded too. Offerings now include fresh items like milk, eggs, butter, fruits and vegetables.
Homes with Hope thanks Adrian Monpaldo and the team at Trader Joe’s, for their donations of perishables.
They also thank the many donors; 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker; Carol Martin and her staff at the Westport Housing Authority, and local legislators.
Non-perishable food items and toiletries can be dropped off at the food pantry, during operating hours.
================================================
Here’s a great scoop: The ice cream hut at The Porch @ Christie’s opens this weekend.
Serving starts at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day.
Just one more sign that summer is (almost) here.
The Porch ice cream stand.
=================================================
One business opens, another closes:
Oddz is going out of business.
A sign on the Post Road East women’s clothing store across from Bank of America says: “Retirement blowout. 30% of entire store except jeans, all Levi stock, tube tops. 50% off solid brights.”
(Hat tip and photo/Sal Liccione)
================================================
The brick pizza oven at Wakeman Town Farms — manned by Tony Napolitano every Tuesday — is a popular spot for families.
June 19 is special, though. That “Pizza on the Patio” event is adults-only.
Each order (for 2 guests) includes 2 personal pizzas, and 1 bottle of wine. A limited number of single tickets (and additional bottles of wine or pizzas) are also available.
There are 2 start times to reduce wait times for the hand-made pizzas: 6:30 and 7 p.m. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Tony Napolitano, at the Wakeman Town Farm pizza oven.
==================================================
Girls rock. And rise.
Next up at the Westport Country Playhouse: “Girl Rising.” It’s a celebration of the untapped potential of girls to address the world’s urgent challenges, like climate change
The May 29 (7 p.m.) event features screenings of portions of the documentary “Girl Rising,” which helped spark a global movement for girls’ education. Girl Rising’s co-founder and CEO Christina Lowery will be on hand with young advocates for girls’ rights, education equity, and climate justice, to tell powerful stories and engage in empowering conversation.
Emcee Erika K. Wesley the former Playhouse director equity, diversity and inclusion — is passionate about providing opportunities for women and girls to participate in literary arts.
Click here for tickets and more information).
“Girl Rising,” at the Westport Country Playhouse.
================================================
For 20 years, Circle of Care has helped families of children with cancer. It provides financial assistance, peer counseling, care packages, dream room makeovers, and activities for adolescents and young adults.
On June 13 (The Loading Dock, Stamford) the non-profit will celebrate those 2 decades.
The event will also honor longtime Westporters April and Michael Book.
April has been an integral program volunteer since 2019, and serves on the board of directors.
Michael is managing partner at Lenox Advisors, a Circle of Care sponsor.
Both have been closely involved as supporters, donors and volunteers, ensuring that no family will face their child’s cancer diagnosis alone.
The gala includes a cocktail reception, dinner, auction, and entertainment. Click here for tickets, and more information.
April and Michael Book
===========================================
We’re not sure, but this may be only the second appearance of turtles in our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
We’re also not sure why there are 6 of them on one Saugatuck River rock, and only 1 on another.
(Photo/Jeff Neville)
==================================================
And finally … on this date in 1762, the Trevi Fountain was officially inaugurated in Rome.
(Speaking of coins … they’ll do a lot more good in the “06880” bank account than in an Italian fountain. I’m just sayin’. Please click here to toss them our way. Thank you!)
As it relates to “gun violence”; the term is a misnomer. A “gun”, or, more properly, a firearm is an inanimate object, totally incapable of committing an act of violence in and of itself. This term was purposefully, with forethought and malice, created by the political left to pull at emotional heartstrings. Instead of breast-beating, I would suggest that these extremely well-funded (by Soros and Bloomberg et al) “grass-roots” (NOT) organizations focus on root-cause issues such as mental health instead of demonizing a firearm. But, no they will not do that as the optics don’t work for them as well as “gun violence” does. Let the hate begin!
Well said ‼️🇺🇸
Okay. “Firearm Violence” it is. Feel better?
Mr. Colapietro
“…created to pull at emotional heartstrings.” It has a familiar ring. It’s a tactic used by both sides of the political spectrum right here in Westport. You can witness it again yourself at town hall next month.
In my opinion, the scary part of guns is that 38% of westport residents (households?) own one, according to an RTM official. Although I cannot corroborate that statistic I am afraid of the bloody violence that could be committed by even of one of those 38 percent gun owners.
Would that be more accurate terminology?
You’re right. A firearm IS an inanimate object, mental health is not. And that’s exactly why we should seek to prevent those with “mental health issues” from obtaining firearms.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict in advance, those with mental health issues (and those who do not), who have access to firearms and who are highly likely to go shoot up whatever.
That is why it is the firearms, the inanimate objects we can control, that must be further controlled until such time that those who “enjoy” them can assure the rest of us that the tools of their hobby have been secured so they cannot be mishandled, stolen or used for suicide or homicide.
Sorry for the inconvenience, but your 400 million firearms in circulation are a public health menace.
gun accidents occur every day among the mentally stable
You mean, gun accidents and crimes using guns to commit crimes occur everyday in the stable AND in the unstable. The NRA and MAGA like to drone on about mental health while refusing to do anything about it, while conveniently overlooking that plenty of deadly crime occurs everyday as caused by those with no identifiable markers for being mentally unwell and/or potentially criminally dangerous.
You can control inanimate objects, but you cannot control people, their mental health status or predict what anyone is going to do at any given moment.
Regardless of my feelings about gun control… your last sentence troubles me. Why only name two of the many wealthy and influential supports of gun control. There are others of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
Here are several of the many wealthy individuals who support gun control financially, listed roughly in ascending order based on their donations:
1. **George Soros** – Through his Open Society Foundations, Soros has donated millions to gun control groups such as Everytown for Gun Safety and the Brady Campaign [oai_citation:1,How Health Care Providers Can Respond to Gun Violence | Commonwealth Fund](https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/2024/jan/how-health-care-providers-can-respond-gun-violence) [oai_citation:2,What organizations support gun control? | TheGunZone](https://thegunzone.com/what-organizations-support-gun-control/).
2. **Steve Ballmer** – The former Microsoft CEO and his wife Connie have donated significant amounts to organizations like Everytown for Gun Safety. While the exact figures are not as publicly detailed as others, their support is notable [oai_citation:3,How Health Care Providers Can Respond to Gun Violence | Commonwealth Fund](https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/2024/jan/how-health-care-providers-can-respond-gun-violence).
3. **Michael Bloomberg** – One of the most prominent supporters, Bloomberg has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to gun control initiatives through Everytown for Gun Safety, which he helped found. His contributions exceed $200 million [oai_citation:4,How Health Care Providers Can Respond to Gun Violence | Commonwealth Fund](https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/2024/jan/how-health-care-providers-can-respond-gun-violence) [oai_citation:5,AMA recommends new, common-sense policies to prevent gun violence | American Medical Association](https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-recommends-new-common-sense-policies-prevent-gun-violence).
4. **Laurene Powell Jobs** – The widow of Steve Jobs has also contributed large sums through the Emerson Collective, supporting various gun control measures and organizations, including Everytown for Gun Safety. Her donations are in the tens of millions [oai_citation:6,What organizations support gun control? | TheGunZone](https://thegunzone.com/what-organizations-support-gun-control/).
5. **Andrew and Nicola Forrest** – The Australian philanthropists have donated substantial amounts to international gun control efforts, with contributions in the millions. Their support often goes to campaigns aimed at reducing gun violence globally [oai_citation:7,How Health Care Providers Can Respond to Gun Violence | Commonwealth Fund](https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/2024/jan/how-health-care-providers-can-respond-gun-violence).
6. **Oprah Winfrey** – While primarily known for her philanthropic efforts in other areas, Winfrey has also donated millions to support gun control measures, particularly in the wake of significant mass shootings [oai_citation:8,What organizations support gun control? | TheGunZone](https://thegunzone.com/what-organizations-support-gun-control/).
These individuals contribute significantly to the gun control movement, supporting various initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence through legislative change, public awareness campaigns, and community programs.
Mr. Colapietro,
As you demonize the left and get ready to cast a vote for the destruction of our democratic republic in November, please reflect as well on the indisputable fact that you are a horse’s ass.
He is not alone
Oh, brother. What a bunch of right-wing crap. The facts say otherwise, but sure, keep using weapons to compensate for something else.
facts are no longer relevant
money is more relevant and influential in the USA Give a Supreme Court judge enough money and you can buy what you want. Give a politician enough money and the policial will obey
If you look very closely that one turtle probably has a firearm and the other turtles are trying to hide behind each other- like the kids at Sandy Hook.
No one stopped that crazy turtle from getting a gun. Guns don’t kill- turtles do!! Anyone for turtle soup?
Strange- There are laws to register drivers and vehicles. There are laws that both have to be insured.
You have a right to bear arms but not a right to drive.
The problem is there are a large number of people who do not want the government to have the ability to take their guns away under any circumstance or even to know who has a gun- just in case!.
A nation armed to the teeth and ready after 250 years to finally declare an election illegal because their candidate did not lose fairly- despite the mostly red state courts saying otherwise. Then many chose to attend an insurrection love fest and threaten all the politicians elected from all over the country by both parties.
On the bright side- they didn’t want to shoot Mike Pence- they wanted to hang him!!
Folks are ok with regulating women’s bodies but not with a weapon of mass destruction such as the AR-15.
I’m an anomaly, a gun owner (hunter) who actually favors sensible gun control. If everyone kept their firearms locked and stored as they should, and sensible gun control measures were in place sooner we probably wouldn’t be having these discussions!
Not such an anomaly, Peter…many gun owners (perhaps not enough) favor regulation of guns. I am in that category, my two sons( former state policemen both, and one an FBI agent) favor gun regs; and any right thinking person, owner or not, would favor the safe storage of firearms.
Remember the 6 years old little boy who shot his teacher in school? His mommy reported that she had secured the gun in her safe.
We probably wouldn’t be having these discussions if people didn’t keep guns in their homes. It can’t be used, stolen or mishandled if it’s not there.
A man in Stratford was just arrested for shooting his wife. It was an accident. He was trying to protect her from his son during an argument. I just read this in Westport Patch
Always cute to watch the one percenters argue over whether it’s ok to own a licensed firearm in Wepo – you clearly haven’t lived in most of the cities / neighborhoods in this country.
I’m so excited for Lindsay’s Ice Cream shop! It’s not only handmade it’s the bomb 🇺🇸
Are you 14 y.o.?