The Westport Center for Senior Activities offers a number of wellness programs.
Three are dedicated specifically to support people living with Parkinson’s. They include:
- Boxing: A high-energy class to improve balance and coordination, taught by fitness instructor and boxer Dan Lewis. Thursdays, 2-3 p.m.; July 10-September 25. $60.
- Fitness: A movement-based fitness program to enhance strength, flexibility and mobility, taught by fitness instructor Beth Dalen. First 3 Wednesdays of each month, 10:15-11 a.m.; July 9-September 24.
- Support Group: Guided discussions offering emotional support, shared experiences and practical strategies for living with Parkinson’s. Guest speakers address specific topics. The group is facilitated by nurse Diane Bosch. 10:15-11 a.m.; July 23, August 27, September 24.
To learn more, call assistant director Holly Betts (203-341-5096) or program specialist Joe Anastasi (203-341-1066).
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Free entertainment is on tap this weekend, at the Levitt Pavilion.
Early Clover — the former Coasters’ lead singer and Apollo favorite pays tribute to Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Otis Redding and more tonight (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.).
Tomorrow it’s Jake Swamp & the Pine, with Kali Stoddard-Imari (Sunday, 6:30 p.m.). Songs range from acoustic anthems to hoedowns to waltzes, drawing on influences from folk, bluegrass and pop.
Free ticket information, details, and upcoming show information is available here.
The holiday weekend kicked off last night with Desert Highway, an Eagles tribute band.
Desert Highway with Freda Welsh and Carleigh Welsh (center) on the Levitt Pavilion stage. (Photo/Sean Bemand)
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Speaking of shows: The Old School Revue All-Stars have a great reputation. So does the Weston History & Culture Center’s “Music at the Barn” outdoor summer concert series.
So the band’s appearance on Sunday, July 13 (5:30 p.m.) should be an extra-special evening. They’ll play classic R&B, rock, soul, jazz and swing tunes.
Current and former members have toured and/or recorded with Steely Dan, the Average White Band, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, Jose Feliciano, Tower of Power, Hall & Oates, the Blues Brothers, Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin.
Bring a lawn chair, and a picnic (no food truck). Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members; purchase here or at the show.
Old School Revue All-Stars
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Marina Drasnin — the photographer and artist who left Los Angeles for Westport after the wildfires, and was featured recently in “06880” — is this month’s guest exhibitor at the Westport Book Shop.
She’ll show her very personal and evocative collection, “ad-DRESSING-life,” featuring her hand-beaded and story-imbued miniature dresses. Each one represents a meditation on love, loss and memory, created during her husband’s 5-year battle with illness.
Marina studied at the Sorbonne. Her work has been exhibited in galleries in Boston, Los Angeles and Paris.
A reception is set for July 16 (6 to 7:30 p.m.).
Meanwhile, the Book Shop’s Short Story Book Club meets July 24 (6 p.m.) to discuss “A Cup fo Cold Water” by Edith Wharton (1895) and “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather (1905).
Registration is required. Call 203-349-5141, or email RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.
Marina Drasnin, at the Westport Book Shop.
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Red, white and blue is everywhere.
Including — on the steeple, and a flag — Assumption Church.
Work has been going on there for a while. But this weekend, it really catches your eye.
(Photo/Janine Scotti)
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Thursday’s wind storm was brief, but powerful.
Especially at Robin Frank’s house. Two umbrellas on metal poles nearly crashed through the kitchen window while she was making dinner.
This one — reaching the second floor — was especially scary:
(Photo/Robin Frank)
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Leslie Byelas — a noted lawyer, and former assistant US Attorney in Connecticut — died Wednesday in hospice care, at his Fairfield home. He was 88.
The Bridgeport native received an undergraduate degree in 1958 and a law degree in 1961, both from Boston University. He served in Connecticut’s Office of the Judge Advocate, and the US Army Reserve.
Les had a longtime legal practice in Westport. He retired in 2020, after 59 years in the profession.
In addition to his wife Ellen Lubell, Les is survived by his sons Michael and Jonathan, stepdaughter Karina Lubell, sister Ruth Byelas, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Amy Bloom and Bill Mainor, grandchildren Tristan Mareuil and Axel Mareuil, and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, the Connecticut Food Bank, and Connecticut Humane Society.
Les Byelas
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We get lots of sunset photos at “06880.”
But Cabry Lueker’s image of Burying Hill Beach is particularly compelling, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Cabry Lueker)
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And finally … although he’s performed it before, I don’t know if Early Clover will include this song tonight at the Levitt Pavilion (story above).
Still, as long as I’ve got a chance to post a video of this beautiful classic, I’ll take it.
(“06880” always stands by you. And we hope you’ll stand by your hyper-local blog. Just click here to support our work. Thank you!)
I remember Marina fondly as a classmate from my days at the Sorbonne. Catherine (Deneuve) supported me by waiting tables while I pursued my passion of making sculptures of Rodin out of Silly Putty. Catherine, alas moved on but I still have the sculptures. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share this little tidbit of those halcyon days.
After retrieving deck umbrellas for years, I started tightening the pole to the heavy base with the bolt most umbrellas have on the stand. I had to use some rust loosener but haven’t had to search for an umbrella recently. Good luck
Thank you for the music.
STAND BY ME.