First Selectwoman Jen Tooker’s most recent newsletter, “Westport in Focus,” has hit email inboxes all over town.
Among the items: a call for volunteers for town boards and commissions.
She writes: “Over the past few years, 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore has spent considerable time meeting with and recommending eligible residents for appointments to non-elected town boards, Committees and commissions. Many people have heeded the call for civic involvement, and we are very appreciative of their efforts. These volunteers are making a difference in your community!
“The work of filling these positions is ongoing. Opportunities remain that may be of interest to those with unique skill sets, life or professional experience. This includes those with architectural experience for possible appointments to the Historic District Commission, or perhaps a background in building or engineering for the Building Maintenance Committee or the Public Site and Building Commission.
“Other agencies, such as the Parks Advisory Committee, Racquets Advisory Committee, Human Services Commission, Flood & Erosion Control Board (alternates), and Tree Board are for those seeking an opportunity to volunteer, listen, and learn about town operations and how they may contribute in an advisory capacity.
“You must be a registered voter to be considered. Please submit an interest form (click here) and discover how you may volunteer to serve Westport. You will find it very rewarding, I’m sure!”
The Flood & Erosion Control Board plays an important role in Westport life. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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On Friday night, former CNN TV journalists Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs emceed Fashionably Westport, the Westport Downtown Association’s fun fundraiser for Homes with Hope, at the Westport Library.
Just moments before though, they were back in breaking news anchor mode. The pair — who recently began a joint podcast series — used the Library’s Verso Studios facilities to interview Ian Bremmer.
They asked the founder and president of Eurasia Group — a highly regarded political risk research and consulting firm — about that afternoon’s global alliance-shaking meeting in the Oval Office between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.
The interview was almost as stunning as the presidents’ session.
“This was probably the worst day for the world since 9/11,” Bremmer began.
It marked “a catacylsmic shift in the Western order … a core break.”
Bremmer noted that the US has been the only NATO nation ever to invoke Article 5 — the principle that says if one member country is attacked, all other members will defend it.
“America’s allies now look at us and say, ‘We don’t feel we have a trusted ally,'” Bremmer added.
Click below for the full 14-minute podcast:
Click here for Alisyn’s Substack. Click here for Dave’s Instagram.
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Cabaret Olé — the fundaiser for Staples High School’s Orphenians trip to Spain, with performances by that elite a cappella ensemble, and highly regarded VOCES8 — just got even more special.
Mary Kate Morrissey — lead in Broadway’s “Wicked” — and Dan Micciche, the show’s music director and conductor — will also perform at the March 30 event (6 p.m. Christ & Holy Trinity Church).
Morrissey spent a decade touring 92 cities with “Wicked,” “Mean Girls” and “Hair,” before making her Broadway debut in Wicked in 2023. Micciche has been with the show for over a decade, including national and international tours.
He will coach the Orphenians on their song with Morrissey.
Cabaret Olé includes tapas and other light bites, and a silent auction. Funds raised go to both the Spain Choral Festival and the VOCES8 Foundation.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Monday, March 3, noon) at www,Orphenians.com.
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Mindy Wolkstein’s husband died recently, from complications of dementia.
During his illness, ElderHouse Adult Day Center in Norwalk took great care of him.
For 48 years they have provided care for many others too, while giving caregivers much-needed breaks.
To give back, Mindy joined their board of directors. Now, she’s spreading the word about an upcoming Elderhouse benefit.
“Night at the Aquarium” (April 3, Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk) features hors d’oeuvres, dinner, drinks and an auction.
The evening will also honor the Greens Farms Academy Community Service Program. Led by Susan Wilchinsky, it has engaged hundreds of students in service to ElderHouse for over 25 years. Students meet weekly at the Norwalk adult day center.
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more, click here.
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Speaking of Greens Farms Academy: Their Dragonoid team recently completed a very impressive robotics competition season.
They earned several engineering and programming awards, showcasing their skills at the State Championship, held at Bridgeport’s Total Mortgage Arena.
The Middle School team, Dragonoid Mechanics finished second overall. They also received the Create Award, for innovative problem-solving.
The Upper School team, the Dragonoid Brawlers, demonstrated adaptability and resilience, fine-tuning their robot under pressure. Earlier in the season they received a Judges’ Award, for dedication and ingenuity.
Greens Farms Academy Dragonoids Middle School robotics team. From left: Ben Kiev, Cooper Mleczko, Will Manes, Liam Haverstick, Mackenzie Bloom.
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In 2021, Anjali McCormick was named CEO of the Westport Weston Family YMCA. She came from New Jersey, where she served as senior vice president and chief operating officer with the Summit Area YMCA.
McCormick left Westport this past August, after navigating the local Y through COVID, and celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Now she’s back in the Garden State — at the same Summit Y. She returns as interim CEO of its 4 branches on March 10.
Board chair Maria Brugg says, “Her extensive leadership experience, deep knowledge of the larger Summit area, and business acumen as a graduate of Harvard University with an MBA from New York University will help us forge new paths during this transitional period for our nearly 140-year history.”
Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Pete Wolgast)
Anjali McCormick, at the Westport YMCA. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Sorelle Gallery’s new show, “Refraction,” features abstract watercolor paintings by Connecticut artist Nealy Hauschildt.
It opens next Saturday (March 8), with a reception andn artist meet-and-greet from 2 to 4 p.m. Click here for more details.
Nealy Hauschildt
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It’s Tummy Time!
That’s the class — sponsored by Little Gan — Chabad of Westport’s pre-school — to help parents and caregivers support their baby’s physical development (ages 0 to 6 months), through fun activities led by a pediatric physical therapist.
The sessions emphasize the important of “tummy time,” with exercises to build strength, balance and coordination.
The class runs from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Mondays, from March 31 to June 2.
Click here for more information, or email jewishwestport.com/grownupandme.
Looking for tummy time.
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Slowly warming temperatures have drawn residents to our beaches — including, in this “Westport …Naturally” photo, Sherwood Island State Park.
Today’s high temperature will struggle to reach freezing. By Tuesday, it will be back near 50. Welcome to March!
(Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)
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And finally … in honor of Tummy Time, the program for infants’ parents and caregivers (story above):
(“06880” echoes 1st Selectwoman Tooker’s call to get involved. Our suggestion: Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to this hyper-local blog. And then, yeah, join a board. It’s all good.)
Memo to Andrea Moore:
When the volunteer experts who you seek, and whose expertise you claim that you require, rely upon, and entrust to ensure appropriate and optimal decision-making, are sidelined, ignored or overruled by your personal opinion and/or agendas, the “very rewarding” which you postulate deteriorates quickly to “very disrespectful”, “very unappreciated”, and “very insulting”.
For example, the Public Site and Building Commission is authorized and designated by the Town Charter to be THE school building committee, yet you intentionally maneuvered to not only abrogate that General Statute authority, but then ghosted their entreaties and expertise because it didn’t comport with your own objectives. When they were insulted and slandered, you idly stood by. Town residents are imperiled by such behaviors.
Hand picked sycophants and agenda control is not in Towm residents’ best interests…but that has unfortunately become the name of the game.
Wait, just a darn minute since when did you have to have a party affiliation to be able to volunteer. As you know independents don’t have to register or can’t register to vote. When it’s time to vote it’s my decision whether to vote Republican Democrat independent or whatever. This requirement needs to be changed. What a blatant form of discrimination
Peter, everyone who wants to vote in Connecticut has to register. You can register as “unaffiliated.” I imagine that’s how you’d fill out the form to volunteer.