Surprise!
The start of construction on the new Long Lots Elementary School — originally planned for this fall — will not take place until next year.
That’s the most recent news from the Long Lots School Building Committee, which met Thursday for the first time since May.
As a result, the 125,882-square foot school will open later than the anticipated September 2026 date.
Site plan for the new Long Lots Elementary School.
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JT Penny understands the power of video games.
And not just because the Staples High School senior is ranked among the top 350 Overwatch players in North America.
He knows that gaming relieves stress, reduces boredom, and offers an escape into a digital playground when times are tough.
JT also knows that, for some children, video games can be actual lifelines.
In addition to defending his Grand Master gaming title — and rowing with the Saugatuck Rowing Club varsity — JT has partnered with a national non-profit charity.
Gamers Outreach has one mission: provide specialized video game stations (“GoKarts”) to kids receiving treatment or recovering in hospitals.
Over the past year, JT collected donations by livestreaming video game playoffs on Twitch from home, and at the Stream-A-Thon hosted by Gamers For Giving at Eastern Michigan State University.
On Wednesday, JT delivered his first GoKart to Yale New Haven Hospital’s Pediatric Unit.
It’s a great partnership. Through the process, JT worked closely with Yale New Haven’s child life gaming and technology specialist Tyler Mahoney.
JT has mastered a high-level video game. He’s won big crew races. Both are great accomplishments.
But his real prize is empowering hospitalized kids, at a time they need it most.
JT Penny (left) and Tyler Mahoney of Yale New Haven Hospital with JT’s GoKart donation, ready for its first patient/gamer.
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Ever since the October 7 Israeli massacre by Hamas, Haaretz reporter Lee Yaron has been at work investigating the lives of some of the victims. She’s spoken with survivors, their family members, and first responders in Israel and beyond.
“100 Human Stories” will be published this fall.
On October 14 — one year and one week after the first anniversary of the attack — she’ll be at Temple Israel (7 p.m.). She’ll speak with Rabbis Michael Friedman and Evan Schultz about the events of 10/7, and their continuing impact on Israel today.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Click here for details. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
Lee Yaron
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Three exciting and diverse events have been added to the Westport Country Playhouse fall calendar.
At “Perfectly Westport: A Fireside Chat with Westport’s Bestselling Author Emily Liebert,” the “Perfectly Famous” writer chats with Westport Magazine editor-in-chief Samantha Yanks about story inspiration, finding an agent, getting published, editing, ghostwriting for celebrities, and balancing career and motherhood.
It’s September 30 (7 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Hitchcock fans will enjoy “Rear Window: A Night of Suspense.” In advance of the WCP production of “The 39 Steps,” there’s a special screening of the “Rear Window” movie.
Artistic director Mark Shanahan — a Hitchcock scholar and fan, who taught a course on the director at Fordham University for over 21 years — shares his knowledge and insights about Hitchcock.
He’ll highlight key details to watch for. After the movie, Shanahan will explore why “Rear Window” is such a classic.
It’s October 2 (7 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Then comes “Ghost Stories and Legends” — an evening of classic stories of the supernatural with Broadway’s John Rapson (“Sweeney Todd,” “Les Misérables”).
He’ll present a special version of his solo show of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” plus other ghostly tales.
It’s October 10 (7 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
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The Westport Library is a place of stories — literally, and metaphorically.
They’ll be at the forefront on Saturday, September 21, when StoryFest — the annual literary festival — features over 50 authors.
Each comes to the Library to discuss their work and experiences, and connect with fans, readers and fellow writers.
StoryFest’s Saturday concludes with The Lance Lundberg Masters Series Presents: The Power of Story.
Featured authors include Clay McLeod Chapman, May Cobb, Gabino Iglesias and Cynthia Pelayo.
The evening also includes a performance by author/puppeteer GennaRose Nethercott, a story told by acclaimed photographer Jesse Freidin, and an appearance from Northeast Storytelling President ChaChanna Simpson, who oversees the Library’s Storytelling Sundays monthly series.
The Power of Story kicks off at 7 pm in the Library’s Trefz Forum. Light refreshments will be served.
StoryFest writers include (clockwise from top left): Clay McLeod Chapman, May Cobb, Gabino Iglesias, ChaChanna Simpson, Jesse Freidin, GennaRose Nethercott, and Cynthia Pelayo).
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The switch of 95.9 The Fox — from rock to simulcasting WICC’s news and talk format — has Westport connections, beyond listeners losing a longtime Fairfield County music staple.
WFOX is owned by Westport-based Connoisseur Media. It says the move was made in part because of the departure of New York’s WCBS Newsradio 880.
The other “06880” angle: Westporter Lisa Wexler, host of a very popular morning talk show on WICC, will now be heard by many more listeners.
Lisa Wexler
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How old is the universe?
Pretty old. 13.8 billion years (give or take a hundred million years).
Don’t take my word for it. Ask David Weintraub.
The Vanderbilt University professor of astronomy discusses “How Old is the Universe?” at the Westport Astronomical Society’s next virtual lecture (September 17, 8 p.m.). Click here for the link.
A spectacularly small portion of the very old universe.
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Our “Westport … Naturally” feature sometimes showcases egrets doing their thing: hanging out, looking smooth, in water.
This one is doing its other thing: soaring majestically, above the Riverwalk by the Westport Library.
Kudos to Johanna Keyser Rossi, for this very cool capture:
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … in honor of our 13.8 billion-year-old universe (story above):
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world — and the universe. But we can’t do it without our loyal readers’ help. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. And thank you!)
Way to go, JT! Doing well and doing good!
Great story about JT Penny. Thanks for sharing! Sounds like he is making a BIG difference in people’s lives!