The Westport Library shines brightly every day.
Now it shines at night, too.
From April 3-6, VersoFest will bring visibility to the building. Local branding expert John Nunziato is helping our crown jewel become even more visible.
On Friday night, his vision came to (literal) light:
(Photo/Andrew Colabella)
The palette ties in with the current branding.
In addition, Nunziato has been working with a local high school “street team” to support VersoFest marketing efforts. They’re generating excitement for the opening ceremony (April 5, 10 a.m.), as the Library attempts to become “the loudeset library in history” (#loudestlibrary).
The nighttime lights will remain through April 7.
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OK To Delay is not wasting any time.
The local chapter of the national organization for parents concerned about the effects of early and excessive use of social media and smartphones invites Westporters to 3 upcoming events.
The first, on April 8 (7 p.m., Long Lots Elementary School) is a viewing of “Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition). Physician and filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston “takes a deeply personal approach into the vulnerable corners of family life, including her own, to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction.”
On April 30 (7:3 p.m., The Wonder, 1200 Post Road East), OK To Delay national director Jessica Hirsch will discuss the challenges — and opportunities — of parenting in the digital age, plus collective actions to improve childhood.
Then, on May 8 (2 to 6 p.m., Westport Library), parents can see alternatives to smartphones. Vendors from a variety companies will demonstrate their products. Children are welcome!
OK To Delay organizers Erika Brunwasser, Nicole Glick and Becca Zipkin say, “We are inclusive, and we don’t believe in shaming.”
For more information, email OKtoDelayWestport@gmail.com, or follow on Instagram: @OkaytoDelayWestport.
Westporters say: It’s OK to delay!
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JazzFC can be forgiven for blowing their own horn.
But they’re proud to announce their 3rd Anniversary Birthday Blowout Bash.
It’s April 24 (6 to 10 p.m., VFW Post 399). Over 25 musicians — including Melissa Newman, Giacomo Gates, David DeJesus, Mike Mossman, Greg Wall, Boots Maleson and Harvey S — are set to jam.
There’s a New Orleans-style dinner (of course), and silent auction too.
Proceeds benefit JazzFC young musician clinics, music college scholarships, and senior center outreach — all throughout Fairfield County.
Tickets are $125, $250 (including premium seating, JazzFC CD, 2 concert tickets and a JazzFC t-shirt or totebag), and $500 (all of the above, plus a 1-hour jazz listening session or improv lesson on any instrument, with Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall). Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Westport is filled with senior executives.
Many — well, at least some — are thinking about reframing their careers.
A free workshop on May 6 (6 p.m., Serendipity Labs, 55 Post Road West) can offer insights.
Mike Raleigh, founder of Graymatter — a networking, advocacy and support community of and for senior executives — hosts a workshop on “Thawing Out the Frozen Job Market and Taking Control of Your Career.
Topics include reframing your career mindset, strategizing for the third act, diversifying opportunities, and personal branding.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Click here.
Thinking about a career change? A May 6 workshop could help get your thinking on track. (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
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Only one team can win the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament.
Only one won Friday night’s March Madness event at the Westport Weston Family YMCA, too.
But everyone — the middle schoolers who played, the Y junior board members who organized and helped, even a local non-profit were winners as well.
Thirty-three youngsters played 3-v-3 (with no adult coaches!). The actual tournament was livestreamed in the nearby Schine Room (with pizza and sodas), for players waiting their turn.
The top 2 teams donated their prize winnings to a non-profit of their choice.
Congratulations to the first place team: Lennox Van Kolken, Eli Moneyhon and
Andrew Freeman. They donated their share to Homes with Hope.
Runnersup were Tyler Talley, Ryan Tackman and Lucas Riera. They chose Livestrong at the YMCA — a program for cancer survivors — to receive their prize.
The event was conceived and executed by junior board director (and Staples High School junior Danny McHugh, with an assist from the Y team. Staples Service League of Boys (SLOBs) refereed. (Hat tip: Kristin McKinney)
From left: winners Lennox Van Kolken, Eli Moneyhon, Andrew Freeman; organizer Danny McHugh; runnersup Luca, Riera, Ryan Tackman, Tyler Talley. (Photo/Dan McHugh)
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The curtain rises Tuesday, for the first preview of the Westport Country Playhouse production of “Theatre People.”
But you don’t have to wait 2 days for a preview (before the preview).
Westporter Bill Shakos — whose “What Do I Know?” podcast recently debuted — sat down with director Mark Shanahan, and several cast members.
They offered insights into the show, themselves, and more. Click below to listen. Click here for more information on “Theatre People.”
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Next up in the Wakeman Town Farm Dahlia Growing Series: a hands-on demonstration on dividing them for spring.
Master gardener Paul Rossi and farmer Dasha Horton lead the April 26 (10 a.m.) event. They’ll also cover where to source your dahlias, and how to start from cuttings.
Bring your own clumps. Starter kits will be on sale. Click here to register, and for more information.
Dahlias, duh.
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On Friday morning, Kings Highway Elementary School families participated in an early morning “Rise & Feed” event.
They made 25 lunches for Homes With Hope. Trader Joe’s generously donated the food.
Kings Highway PTA co-president Christina Royce and her daughters, with some of their lunch bags.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows Riverside Park:
(Photo/Nancy Axthelm)
That’s today, anyway. In a couple of weeks, it will be bursting with color.
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And finally … in honor of the lighting of the Westport Library (story above):
(Sure, it’s Sunday. But as we do every day, 24/7/365, “06880” offers another Roundup, chock full o’ news you can use. We do it every day. All we ask is a bit of reader support. Please click here. Thanks!)
