Shonda Rhimes has stepped down as treasurer of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The Emmy-winnng producer/director/screenwriter/author/CEO of Shondaland — and a Westport resident — resigned after President Trump fired the longtime president of the Washington arts institution, and was named chairman of the board by new members he had appointed.
Opera star Renée Fleming also stepped down from the board. And Ben Folds said he would resign as an adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra, which operates under the Kennedy Center umbrella.
Shonda Rhimes, at the Westport Library. (Photo/Jerri Graham Photography)
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Chairs of 4 major Westport bodies have written a joint letter.
Lee Caney (Board of Finance), Lee Goldstein (on behalf of the Board of Education), Paul Lebowitz (Planning & Zoning Commission) and Jeff Wieser (moderator, Representative Town Meeting), express their “disgust at the creation of the antisemitic snowman which appeared recently.
“That might be the act of one very misguided person, or it may be the view of other Westporters who do not respect the diversity of our vibrant community.
“We want to state as representatives of every member of this wonderful community, however, that the snowman has no place in Westport and is a despicable act. It is shameful that anyone would harbor such hate, and we hope it will never occur again in the town we love.”
Town leaders reacted to this snowman, built last Sunday at the Newman Poses Preserve.
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How do you celebrate winning 7 straight Country Music Association Group of the Year awards?
If you’re Old Dominion, you play 7 shows at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
And you give the money to charity.
The band — which includes guitarist/vocalist Brad Tursi, a 1997 Staples High School graduate — raised a cool $1.25 million.
They gave it (of course) 7 charities: MusiCares, Save the Music, Backline Care, Opry Trust Fund, CMA Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Ramsey Foundation.
And — this really shouldn’t be a side note — the “7 for 7 Residency” the band set a record for most consecutive shows in Ryman’s history.
“06880” reader Tricia Summers — who went to 2 of the shows, and loved them — sends along this photo of Tursi, at the Ryman:
(Photo/Tricia Summers)
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A memorial service for Selma Miriam — the co-founder of Bloodroot vegetarian restaurant, and a longtime advocate for feminism and social justice who died earlier this month at 89 — has been set.
It will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 9, at the United Congregational Church of Bridgeport (2200 North Avenue).
Selma’s many friends and admirers are invited.
Selma Miriam
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Last Saturday’s food drive to stock the Homes with Hope pantry was a huge success.
As they do every year just before the Super Bowl, the Sunrise Rotary Club and Westport Police Department collected over 500 bags of food and supplies, and more than $1,500 in cash, outside Stop & Shop.
But it was not the only drive held that day.
Addison Moore — a 2023 Staples High School graduate, winner of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneur award, and now a pre-law student at Lafayette College — ran his own effort.
He organized it quickly, out of concern that a predicted snowstorm would impact the Gillespie Center’s stock.
He set up near the Westport Library, and in just a few hours collected a couple of hundred pounds of food.
It takes a village. Congratulations, Addison — and all who donated, to either food drive — for being part of ours.
Addison Moore, with his food collection.
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Susie Kowalsky read yesterday’s Roundup story on compostable cups and containers with interest.
She writes: “Rizzuto’s and Casa Me both use compostable containers for takeout and doggy bags. I’m sure there are more in town, but these are two I frequent. They are sturdy, and do not leak.”
Details on a Casa Me compostable container.
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Presidents Day is known not for celebrating presidents, but for deals.
Mattresses, TVs, cars … they’re all on sale this weekend.
So are 25% 2-play subscriptions to the final shows of the Westport Country Playhouse’s “Season of Laughter.”
“Native Gardens” (February 18 through March 8) and “Theatre People” (March 25 through April 12) are the shows. Click here to learn more about them.
To access the discount, click here. A code will be provided beginning Saturday at westportplayhouse.org, and on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse) and Instagram (wcplayhouse).
(In addition to the Presidents Weekend special promotion, the Playhouse regularly offers discounts on single tickets to students, senior citizens, educators, military and first responders, Indigenous peoples, professional playwrights, and groups, as well as options for pay-what-you-will and library passes. Click here for details.
Playhouse seats are 25% off, this Presidents Day weekend. (Photo/Robert Benson)
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It’s not always easy for senior citizens to live in the suburbs.
Fortunately, Westport’s Department of Human Services has resources for residents who need help with outdoor tasks like yard work, snow removal and other light chores.
The office has a list of middle and high school students who want to help. The recommended fee is $16 per hour, but both sides are welcome to negotiate a different agreeable amount.
Seniors who require assistance with outdoor chores can call the Department of Human Services at 203-341-1050, or email humansrv@westportct.gov.
Middle and high school students who want to help can use the same contact information above. Written permission from a parent or guardian is required.
Local teens are eager to help seniors.
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A large crowd packed Riko’s Pizza last night, for a combined social event of the Westport and Fairfield Chambers of Commerce.
It was an introduction to the new Saugatuck restaurant for some, and a chance to network for all.
Chambers of Commerce, at Riko’s Pizza. (Photo/Matthew Mandell)
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Jolantha — Weston’s favorite pig — gets dressed up for every holiday.
She especially loves Valentine’s Day.
(Photo/Hans Wilhelm)
“06880” has chronicled Jolantha’s many intriguing costumes. Now you can see them all, in one place.
Her friend Hans Wilhelm has created a website — with photos, and her story.
It is quite a tail — er, tale.
Click here to see, and read.
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Daniel Purcell III — co-owner of Purcell Moving Inc., with his brother Larry, and former owner of Westport’s Sportsman’s Bar — died February 10. He was 82.
He enjoyed playing softball, boating with his family, tinkering with cars and trucks, long car rides, flea markets, and time with family and friends.
He played shuffleboard with his daughter Sandra at the Ukrainian Club in Southport on Monday nights He was also president and lifetime member of the Screwballs
Daniel is survived by his wife Stacy; daughters Laura Romano (Rob) and Sandra Scotto (Rob); granddaughters Ashley Gorkin (Elliot) and Kaitlyn Scotto; great-granddaughter Olivia Barbara Gorkin; 2 sisters, 4 brothers, sisters-in-law and brothers-in laws, nieces and nephews, and a great-nieces and great-nephews.He was predeceased by his first wife Barbara, and son Donald.
A celebration of life will be held at the Eagles Club (6 Mott Avenue, Norwalk) on June 10 (3 to 7 p.m.). Condolences may be left online. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
Daniel Purcell
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Geese obey the sign. They refuse to land, and just skim the surface in today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature image.
(Photo/Carl McNair)
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And finally … let’s hear it again for Westport’s own (sort of) Old Dominion (story above):
(From the Kennedy Center to Ryman Auditorium — if there’s a Westport angle to a story, “06880” finds it. If you appreciate our hyper-local, worldly coverage, please click here. Thanks!)
Certainly can’t blame the woman for resigning her position on the board. To be anyway associated with Trump and his racist actions and beliefs is disgusting. more people should resign their positions in organizations that Trump has infiltrated
One would think that our First Select Woman would have jumped at the chance to sign on to that letter written by four board chair folks
Quite shocking that she did not.
I think the other signatories will concur that Jen did not know of the letter, which was produced to add the voice of our boards and commissions to the conversation.
Hope you’re correct, Jeff.
Had not considered that.