The state of democracy and the media’s impact on it, globally and locally — plus AI, TikTok, fact checkers and more — were debated for nearly 2 hours yesterday.
A capacity crowd filled the Westport Library, to hear the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston-sponsored discussion.
Senator Richard Blumenthal; television journalists Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs of Westport, and John Berman (all now or formerly with CNN), along with “06880”‘s own Dan Woog answered questions from moderator John Brandt.
Staples High School Inklings advisors Mary Elizabeth Fulco and Joseph Del Gobbo, with editors Nina Bowens and Lily Hultgren, added student perspectives.
Click below to view the full event. It was fascinating.
Then again, I’m a biased media participant.
From left: Dave Briggs, Dan Woog, John Berman, Alisyn Camerota, Senator Richard Blumenthal. Inklings representatives Mary Elizabeth Fulco, Lily Hultgren and Nina Bowers stand in back. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
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In just 4 years, Fashionably Westport has become one of our town’s most popular — and lively — fundraisers.
This year’s event is set for Friday, February 28 (7 p.m., Westport Library). Sponsored by the Westport Downtown Association, it’s a benefit for Homes with Hope.
The 5th annual Fashionably Westport show features the latest styles, from the town’s mot sophisticated and fashion-forward retailers.
The models are local friends and celebrities. The emcee and runway director are neighbors too: Dave Briggs and Carey Price, respectively.
Click here for tickets, and more information. To donate silent auctiono items, or become sponsors, email events@westportdowntown.com, or operations@westportdowntown.com.
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Last year, Rach’s Hope Walk the Extra Mile raised more than $20,000. The funds helped the non-profit that supports families with critically ill children in the ICU with an additional 100 nights of hotel stays, so parents can rest and recharge while staying close to their kids.
Rach’s Hope — which honors Rachel Doran, the Staples High School graduate and rising Cornell University senior, who died after developin a rare reaction to common medications — is getting ready for their 6th annual Rach’s Hope PJ Gala.
(Rachel was a talented Staples Players costume designer, and founded a pajama company.)
The date is Saturday, March 29 (7 to 11 p.m., FTC, Fairfield).
Festivities include an open bar with Tito’s cocktails, beer, wine and prosecco; heavy appetizers and desserts by AMG Catering; live music kicked off by Westport’s own Michael Cantor and Frog Salon, plus Rach’s Hope’s signature band, Ellis Island — and live and silent auctions too.
Tickets are on sale now (with early bird pricing through January 31). Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Enjoying the 2022 Rach’s Hope gala.
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Taking nature photos with your phone is easy.
But your images can be even better if you know what you’re doing.
Noted photographer Alison Wachstein leads a “Nature Photography with your Smartphone” event on February 23 (10 a.m. to noon).
She’ll do it at the perfect place: Sherwood Island State Park.
Attendees should meet at the main pavilion. There is an optional donation of $10 per family, to support the Friends of Sherwood Island garden team.
For more information on Friends of Sherwood Island, click here. To become a member, click the “Get Involved” tab.
Nature photo, at Sherwood Island State Park. (Photo/Deb Krayson)
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You can’t celebrate Valentine’s Day with Elvis. The “Love Me Tender” dude is booked. (And dead.)
But you can enjoy the day after with him.
“Love is in the Air” — which calls itself “Connecticut’s #1 Elvis Show” — comes to VFW Post 399 on February 15 (6:30 p.m.).
The Riverside Avenue club invites you to “celebrate the love of your life with the love songs of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Tickets ($35 member, $40 non-member) include a buffet. Click here to purchase. Questions? Call 302-312-3774. (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)
Elvis was in the (VFW) building last month, with radio personality Matt Zako and VFW Auxiliary vice president Patty Kondub.
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Speaking of music: The New York Times says, “Ringo Starr maintains his perpetual optimism in ‘Look Up,’ the title track of his new, Nashville-centered album.
“Written by T Bone Burnett and Daniel Tashian, the song posits, ‘There’s a light that shines in the darkest days,’ bolstered by richly twangy guitars and an unmistakable Ringo backbeat.”
What makes this “06880”-worthy is that Tashian is the son of Barry and Holly Tashian. The Staples High School Class of 1963 graduates have made their home in Nashville for many years, where they wrote and recorded.
Barry also played with Emmy Lou Harris and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Before that, he played guitar and sang lead vocals with the Remains.
The Boston-based band were called “how you told a stranger about rock ‘n’ roll” (by Jon Landau), along with — had they not broken up — a contender with the Rolling Stones for the title of “World’s Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Band.”
In 1966 — after appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “Hullabaloo” — they opened for the Beatles, on their final US tour.
Nearly 60 years later, Barry’s son and Ringo have kept the Remains/Beatles connection alive.
Daniel Tashian
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If you were like most Westporters (including me), you spent yesterday indoor.
There were football games to watch, cups of cocoa to drink, cold to stay out of.
If you were this woman named Tanya, however, you headed to Compo Beach, took off most of your clothes, and walked right into the water.
(Photo/Patricia Auber)
Patricia Auber — who was there, though presumably dressed a bit more warmly — reports that Tanya stayed in, up to her neck, for at least 5 minutes.
Hopefully, hot cocoa was waiting at home.
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Marie Wilson of Gloversville, New York — a frequent visitor to Westport, where her daughter Diane Bosch lives — died January 5 after a brief illness in Saratoga Springs, New York. She was 93.
She majored in retailing at Lasell College. She was proud of her internship at Bergdorf Goodman in New York during college, and her lifetime membership in the PTA.
Marie was predeceased by her husband William E. Wilson after 60 years of marriage.
She is survived by her daughter Diane Wilson Bosch (Eric) of Westport; sons William (Joni) of Gloversville, and Paul (Sondra of Long Lake, New York; grandchildren Brett Wilson (Amanda); Greg Bosch and (Renee); Jenelle Wheeler (Ryan); Kate Boundy (Geoff); Nick Wilson; Emily Hunter (Ben); great- grandchildren Amelia and Theo Bosch; Ryder and Piper Wilson; Calvin and Beckett Wheeler; sister Barbara von Kreuter-Adams; many nieces and nephews, and even more friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to a local Parent Teacher Association.
Marie Wilson
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Saturday’s snowfall was gorgeous — but not enough to ski on.
Unless you’re Regan, hitting the “slopes” for the first time ever, at Burying Hill Beach.
Clare Madden sent along this way-too-cute “Westport … Naturally” photo.
(Photo/Clare Madden)
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And finally … Happy Stephen Foster Memorial Day!
Today commemorates the death of “the father of American music.” Foster died on this day in 1864. He was just 37 years old — perhaps by his own hand — but had already written more than 200 songs.
Among them:
(Hard times will come again no more — if you help support “06880.” Please click here, to contribute to your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
Dan, I really enjoyed watching the livestream of the media panel. Senator Blumenthal was great to make the time to participate. Thank you for doing your part to cover local news and events.
First of all, in the event Republicans toe the new President’s line and put forth and pass the Canada Annexation Act, Canada would not become the 51st state.
It would become the 51st through 62nd states.
(AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK & YT)
They’ll still need new proper Zip codes to replace those inscrutable Brit-ish ones.
However, assuming Canadians become US Citizens and voting is still a thing, those Republicans should be careful what they wish for.
Hey Dan, the link on the Library Event comes up as a Neil Diamond video, at least on my phone it does. Take care!
The program began with Neil Diamond’s song “Coming to America.” When it ends, the program begins!
Regarding the media presentation at the library: I suggest people read and support Allsides.com to get views from right, from the left and the center, side by side by topic. It’s a great way to combat misinformation from both sides because unbiased media reporting does not exist and has not existed for a very, very long time.
Hi Dan –
Great conversation. Thanks for putting in your blog for all to see!!
But- The audience question of how do you get people to believe science, experts and facts goes to the core of the problem today. And the panels response of prayer and luck is equally central to this problem.
For example- If the medical community says ivermectin is not useful for Covid (actually dangerous) and politicians say to use it. We have a problem. If infectious disease experts say the vaccines are safe and save lives when politicians say you don’t have to get vaccinated and a large number of people don’t get vaccinated because that’s their god given American right- we have a problem.
And- When people don’t believe what they see and hear about the January 6th insurrection but accept it was a love fest. We have a problem.
When X and Facebook won’t fact check the facts- then every opinion offered becomes a fact.
And it doesn’t help when the facts are hidden.
No background checks to the senate committees for starters
No stats on hospitalizations and deaths from viral outbreaks as was attempted in the first Trump administration. We have a problem.
I am not on a political team. Not registered to either political party. I have been on a medical team where Facts and the Science matter. Where – Expert opinions matter.
I think prayer and luck will be what we wil all need soon!!