Last year’s Soundview Summer Stroll was a smash.
All day Sunday, the Compo Beach exit road was closed to traffic. Kids enjoyed games, face painting, a balloon artist and more. Adults ambled, greeting old friends and making new ones.
Bands played. Old Mill Deli provided pizza and gelato. The vibe was Venice (California).
It’s back! This year’s 2nd annual Soundview Summer Stroll is July 27. There’s an extra hour: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Like last year, it’s a gift to the town from “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association.
Mark your calendar. See you there!
Fun for all ages. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
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If you saw a bunch of teenage boys picking up trash, weeding or doing other work this weekend, they were SLOBs.
As in: Staples Service League of Boys.
Every April, the high schoolers fan out around town, for their Earth Day Service Weekend.
That’s in addition to all the other work they do, all year long, for non-profits and other organizations.
The group below worked with the Westport Downtown Association, to help clean up Parker Harding Plaza.
(Photo/Lee Shufro)
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Also yesterday: VFW Post 399 commemorated its 105th anniversary, celebrating over a century of support to veterans and community.
Established on April 27, 1920, by 11 World War I veterans, the Joseph J. Clinton Veterans of Foreign War post has served Westport’s veteran community ever since.
Private Clinton was a Westporter who gave his life in France on November 7, 1918, just 4 days before the armistice.
“For 105 years, our Post has been more than a gathering place — it’s been a family,” says quartermaster, Phil Delgado.
“We honor Private Clinton’s sacrifice by serving today’s veterans, strengthening community ties, and preserving the memory of those who paved the way for our freedoms.”
VFW Post 399 hosts many events, from Memorial Day ceremonies to monthly community blood drives, plus Jazz at the Post every Thursday. It also partners with nonprofits to advance veterans’ causes.
Celebrating 105 years (from left): Al Strazza, Frank Veno, Phil Delgado, Dennis Rohrmoser.
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Jonathan Grayer has spent his career in education.
As CEO of Kaplan, the 1982 Staples High School and ’86 Harvard University graduate turned the test prep company into the 2nd largest online education provider in the world.
He retired in 2008, then started Imagine Learning. He now serves as CEO. Its digital curriculums make enormous differences in some of the largest and neediest public school districts in America.
Grayer is a philanthropist too. His main passions are cancer research and post-secondary schooling. His Kaplan Educational Foundation — “Rhodes Scholars for Community Colleges” — sends students from 2-year schools to Ivy League and other top universities.
But Grayer has not forgotten his Westport roots. And he knows that in this affluent community, plenty of families cannot afford the enormous (and skyrocketing) cost of college.
In 2022 he jump-started a Staples Tuition Grants award, from the Class of 1982. It’s become a shining example of how SHS alums can give back to their school and community, long after they graduated.
To learn more about Staples Tuition Grants — and/or contribute — click here.
To watch an interview of Grayer, at the ASU+GSV summit — where over 10,000 educators, workforce leaders and innovators discussed the future education (and how to ensure access to it) — click below.
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Tickets are selling fast for a variety of upcoming Westport Country Playhouse events. They include:
“The Wizard of Oz” (June 21, 1 and 4 p.m.; all tickets $30). From the same company that brought “Pinkalicious The Musical” to the WCP stage.
“Karma Kabaret” (June 21, 8 p.m.; all tickets $20): A creative celebration of life — described as “Robin Williams meets Streisand meets TED Talks meets Einstein meets Buddha meets Broadway meets creator M. Zavidow.
Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal (July 16, 8 p.m.; tickets $125, $115, $98).
Click here for more information, tickets, and details of many other upcoming events.
Rosanne Cash and her husband John Leventhal.
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1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and ROAN Ventures’ Rodrigo Real are part of the annual “Real Estate Outlook” panel. The event is May 20 (8:30 a.m., SoNo Collection M&T Bank, Norwalk).
The theme is “Breaking New Ground: The Projects That Will Impact Fairfield County.” The moderator is Eric Bernheim. He heads up the real estate and land use practice at Westport’s FLB Law, which co-sponsors the event. Click here to register, and for more information.
The real estate outlook for Fairfield County includes The Hamlet at Saugatuck project.
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Westport author Meg Serino’s debut novel “Annapurna” will be published May 6.
In it, a woman returns to the base camp of the famous Nepalese mountain to confront events leading to her best friend’s tragic death there 20 years earlier. She explores the nature of their friendship, the meaning of love, and the unexpected consequences of what is spoken — and what is not. Click here for more information.
Meg Serino
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“Cheese Fries & Chili Dips” — Weston native Chris Fuller’s one-man “hilarious and heartfelt story of a pro golfer’s bipolar journey to wellness” — is set for 2 performances at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church (May 16 and 17).
A 6:30 party precedes the 7:30 p.m. show.
Tickets are $10. Call 203-259-5596 to purchase.
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Spring foliage continues to fill us with joy and wonder.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image comes from the ever-changing Riverwalk, outside the Library.
(Photo/Wendy Levy)
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And finally … in honor of an upcoming show at the Westport Country Playhouse (story above):
(It doesn’t take courage, or a brain or heart, to support “06880,” your hyper-local blog. All you have to do is click here. Like Dorothy, you know how important home is.)
Jen Tooker signaling very clearly that the fix is most definitely in for The Hamlet. Appearing at a paid event with the person responsible for one of the largest developments in Westport history, while she is still First Selectwoman, is dirty to the core.
Jen, resign now and run for governor and do whatever Trumpian-moves you care to as a private citizern.
Stop your Trump Crap. Because we didn’t vote your way you sound like a rich entitled white liberal from Westport.
Keep your hate up. You will continue to lose elections.
Really amazes me what a sore loser you sound like. Why do you think your so superior than anyone else John?
More than 1/2 the country thinks differently and voted differently than you did. Thank god.
The Democratic Party is lost. When you have 2 socialist like Bernie sanders and AOC leading your party it’s over.
Have you seen the new polls even on the liberal networks. It’s over Johnny.
Your white privledge keeps showing. What a shame. I am sure deep down you might have a heart. ❤️
Make America Great Again🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏
Hi Jeff.
Yes the polls indicate that felon47 is in the tank. Your message is typically without factual data and tiresomely repetitive. Hint: Think of something different to say. Enjoy your price increases!
🇺🇸💣🇺🇸
Jeff, Take a look at Trump’s recent polls out yesterday. That’d be ALL polls!
Oh john !
You took the words right out of my mouth..
a bigger charade couldn’t be made up by the fg wizard of oz
So a project which now, and once properly educated will likely be 75-85% against and a project she has consistently refused to give her opinion on.. now she will speak in public with them as moderator etc..
this is OUTRAGEOUS !
It doesn’t in my opinion get lower than this for skullduggery.
A fix lol
Real Estate “panel.”
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
Tooker, Roan’s Real and his attorney Bernheim? They are spending some real $$ on this charade called The Hamlet.
The FSW’s slip is definitely showing.
So..Real from ROAN, FSW Jen Tooker and moderated by Mr. Bernheim who is the mouthpiece/attorney representing ROAN. How is it proper for Ms. Tooker to even sit on this panel.?. Ms. Tooker needs to let us know exactly where she stands on this development. For that matter I would like to hear from my friends and RTM members Colabella, Izzo and Tait where they stand as well.
My thoughts exactly Dave. I actually registered for the panel and will attend as my curiosity got the best of me. Too many citizens rightfully question where her loyalty lies- quality of life for a majority of constituents OR special interests, including hers, to make Westport “a destination” rather than just a better place for its own citizens… and who is in it with her? The aforementioned seem to be a cheering section and haven’t disliked a proposal from her, or her appointed committees, that I am aware of and I would gather much of it against what their districts would prefer if votes were cast.
Would also like illumination on how Roan thinks it’s practically in the bag that they can comadere the 47 space RR parking lot on Frankin for one. Seems they were led to believe this?!
Also wondering what concessions our Administration has made ie helping with grants, necessary special permits, navigating the various Boards etc etc whether as stand alone accommodations or some type of quid quo pro arrangement with Roan? Are we pushing the State of CT to allow the street and parking reconfigurations that will primarily benefit Roan investors over residents and the many current Saugatuck businesses?
The now fact that she is on the same panel as Roan is inconceivable and does not ease my mind…it makes matters worse and worth investigating to the highest levels in my opinion.
“The Hamlet” didn’t morph from their quaint proposal in 22 to what is proposed now by itself.
Remember the old days when you could petition the RTM and get answers😜 I know that 2 of them voted to deny citizens the right to appeal directly. A disgrace. Bozos‼️
Jeff, It never fails that any comment from you includes “rich white liberal from Westport” so I guess you are your family are just rich white but non liberal from Westport ? Every now and then just have to correct you….. Over 1/2 the country did not vote for /choose him. He received less than 50% of the popular vote. More people voted for her and did not vote than voted for him. Amazing you think Democrats are lost. Real Republicans have lost their party to MAGA who in just a few months have done a huge amount of damage to the country, the economy, our civil rights, and the world.
I’m not defending Jeff or anything but for the record, most U.S. presidents, regardless of party, win office with less than a full majority of the population. That’s how turnout, the electoral college, and our system work. Pretending that’s unique to one election is just selective outrage.
As for damage to the country: open borders, inflation, foreign instability, rising crime, and attacks on civil liberties didn’t start with MAGA.
Seems inappropriate for Ms Tooker to appear on a panel about local real estate with a developer (ROAN) whose highly controversial Hamlet proposal is actively under review by several Westport town boards and agencies. Especially given her studied indifference to the issue to date. At best, it shows dreadfully poor judgment on her part.
Jeff you are talking MAGA nonsense.
More people – nearly 90 million – did not vote so if you add them to the 75 million Democrats that is a whole lot bigger than the 77.75 million republicans.
Here is “White Roan’s” website (not sure why they keep referring to themselves as ‘Roan.’ It would be interesting to know who their investors are. I wonder if Prudential is one of them (the Hartford, headed by Ms. Tooker’s husband).
It’s also now clear why they have such grand plans for such a tiny area. Have a look at their other development and management properties. Also, of interest, is that they already have The Hamlet on their website as if it’s a done deal.
https://www.whiteroan.com/history
Dan Woog:
Jon Grayer did not “jump start” a Tuition Grant award in 1982. He pledged that money in 2022 at the Class of 1982’s 40th Reunion.
Correct. Thanks for pointing out my typo. It’s been fixed.