Roundup: Politics, Bagels, Bridges …

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong addressed the Democratic Women of Westport’s “Souper Luncheon” yesterday.

He began with his own compelling story: after working as a youngster in his immigrant parents’ Chinese restaurant, he graduated from Brown University and the University of Chicago Law School (where he took constitutional law with Professor Barack Obama). He is president-elect of the National Association of Attorneys General.

Noting that the nation is now in a constitutional crisis, Tong described the role of sovereign states in a republic; outlined the challenges ahead, and offered ways for his audience to take action.

He balanced a sober assessment of the current political climate in Washington, with an affirmation of the system of checks and balances.

William Tong, at yesterday’s Democratic Women of Westport luncheon. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Speaking of politics: Former CNN journalists (and Westport residents) Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs have impressive Rolodexes — er, contact lists.

The latest “A” list guest on their very insightful, educational and entertaining podcasts: David Axelrod.

Camerota and Briggs chatted with the chief strategist for, and senior advisor to, Barack Obama about the current state of American democracy, national security failures, and whether Democrats are ready to lead. Click here to see, or below.

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PopUp Bagels continues to pop up everywhere.

The Westport-based company — born during COVID as take-out only, which has since won Best Bagels awards in mighty Brooklyn, and opened stores in the Big Apple and elsewhere — has just hit double digits.

The 10th PopUp Bagels is now selling its wares (and schmears) at 57th Street and Lexington Avenue.

Over the next couple of weeks they’ll open 2 more, at 7 Penn Plaza, and Driggs Street in Williamsburg.

At this rate they’ll need an entirely new tagline.

From left: Jenn Geller, who originally drove from New York to Westport to buy PopUp Bagels; original investor Karen Elizaga; founder Adam Goldberg and his wife Jen; original investor Jay Ptashek.

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You probably expect it every time you’re on I-95, but here’s a warning: From Monday (March 31) through April 25, the state Department of Transportation will perform bridge maintenance work, from Greenwich to Exit 50 in New Haven.

There will be lane and shoulder closures northbound and southbound, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tranquil underneath. Traffic jams on top. (Photo/Dana Kuyper)

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“Theatre People” — the current Westport Country Playhouse production — is about (duh) the theater.

Tomorrow (March 30, approximately 5 p.m., following the 3 p.m. matinee), they host a Sunday Symposium on “Theater Adaptations” — plays sourced from previous materials.

Gutets include cast member Erin Noel Grennan and Paul Walsh, Yale University theatre professor and historian. Anne Keefe, former Playhouse co-artistic director and Script in Hand curator, will moderate.

The event is free, and open to the public. For more information on “Theatre People,” click here.

For the show’s trailer, click below:

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TAP Strength kicked off its “life span and health span” series recently, with a talk about “Effortless Wellness.”

TAP founder Dr. EJ Zebro and Jennifer Boyd offered tips and insights. Click here or click on below, to see what you missed.

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Ace “Westport … Naturally” photographer Lou Weinberg says: “Red-breasted mergansers are the punk rockers of the duck world. It is rumored to be the favorite bird of the Sex Pistols’ Johnny Rotten.

“They are among the fastest ducks in the world, able to fly up to 80 miles an hour. They must ‘run on water’ in order to take flight, and have serrated bills to catch and hold onto slippery fish. Because of this saw-like bill, their Latin name is mergus serrator.

“Primarily pescatarian, they are great divers. They can stay underwater for up to a minute.”

And now, without further ado, from Burying Hill Beach:

(Photo/Lou Weinberg)

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And finally … Pearl Bailey was born on this date, in 1918. The Broadway, film and TV star — and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree — died in 1990.

(Sure, it’s the weekend. But “06880” is here, with another Roundup filled with news and information — just like every day, all year long, since 2009. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

3 responses to “Roundup: Politics, Bagels, Bridges …

  1. I lasted 2:41 listening to Camerata and Axelrod spew insults and negativity around like rice at a wedding. Seems like the prism is totally dark. Fear and shock at reality.

    • Eric Buchroeder SHS ‘70

      Another circle (of) jerk(s). What’s the common denominator? A Westport connection and a direct line to 06880. It’s much better than playing the Kevin Bacon game.

      • Justin B Moore

        Good comparison Eric. I was thinking the ex CNN flunkies were creating a Wayne’s World 06880