Westport resident Nick Propper helps people manage stress and recovery, to sustain and improve personal and professional performance.
Part of his practice is podcasting. His most recent interview is with a fellow Westporters who knows a bit about those challenges.
Melissa Bernstein co-founded the billion-dollar toy company Melissa & Doug. In the podcast, she describes her journey from investment banking to entrepreneurship.
Melissa also discusses her struggles with mental health, the challenges of building a successful business, and her new venture Lifelines, which focuses on sensory immersion for stress relief.
She emphasizes the importance of creativity, authenticity, and the need for balance in life and work. Click here to listen.
Melissa Bernstein
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Speaking of greater self-awareness: Howard Steinberg started 3 companies here: Westport Innovation Hub, Source Marketing and dLife.
Now he’s written a book. “Confessions of a Problem Seeker” drops on Tuesday. It includes some rich references to Westport.
Howard says: “For most of my life, stillness eluded me. My mind was a relentless scanning machine, forever searching for what was wrong or what came next. But rarely present to the joy of the moment.
“It took me a virtual lifetime to recognize that this exterior version of me with its incessant mental chatter and negative bias was not my true self. I went in search of me.
“Most of us drift through life, nodding along to the question, ‘How are you?’ while never pausing to ask ourselves: How am I really doing? Who am I beneath this surface? As we avoid the deeper truths lurking just below, often disconnected from our true loving and authentic self. I know I’m not alone. We all yearn to break free from the chains of unconscious patterns. If I can shift, I believe most can. There is a path.”
Click here for more information.
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Carmen Lynch — a comedian seen on shows with Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Craig Ferguson — headlines a comedy show at VFW Post 399. She’ll be there January 17 (8 p.m.).
It’s co-sponsored by — no joke! — Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Carmen Lynch
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Greenheart Productions — a new Westport theatre company — hosts a fundraiser.
A staged reading of the play “17 Minutes” (February 6, 7 p.m., Westport Country Playhouse barn) marks Greenheart’s first major public initiative. The goal is to produce “bold, theatrical work that sparks conversation, curiosity and compassion.”
17 minutes is the length of time a sheriff’s deputy stood outside a school while a shooter was inside. The play explores the effects of a shooting as the man struggles with his own complicity, and seeks meaning in the wake of the tragedy.
The reading will be followed by a panel discussion that includes playwright Scott Organ. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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More entertainment news: A world premiere comes soon to Lachat Town Farm.
“Hole in the Wall” — a comedy directed by Christopher Denham (“Oppenheimer,” “Argo,” “Billions” opens March 6. It runs through March 22.
Lachat — which offers a variety of educational and environmental programs and opportunities on its 43-acre property next to Weston Devil’s Den — is also an incubator for the arts.
“The caliber of talent we’ve seen has been incredible – from up-and-coming bands that end up making it big, to celebrity artists who debut new work in front of a small-but-savvy crowd,” says Friends of Lachat executive director Anita Dinwoodie.
“The music scene at Lachat never disappoints, and we’re seeing the same success with theater.”
Ticket information will be announced soon.
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Jonny Greenspan is a Staples High School junior.
A varsity tennis player, he’s focused on that sport, along with academics and clubs.
But he also wants to bring students together, just for fun. He’s doing it through flag football.
For several months, he’s worked with Westport PAL to create an inclusive, low-pressure opportunity for all local high schoolers, regardless of experience, skill level or where they go to school.
He’s gotten space in the Staples fieldhouse, Mondays from 7 to 10 p.m. The program begins soon.
“It emphasizes fun, teamwork and connection rather than pressure or competition,” Jonny says.
“For many students, especially those not involved in varsity athletics, recreational sports offer a rare opportunity to stay active, while building relationships and confidence in a low-stakes environment.
“This is about more than flag football. It’s about rebuilding connection, creating belonging, and giving students a reason to show up — for each other and for their community.
Click here for more information, and to register.
Jonny Greenspan, enjoying another favorite activity.
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The seemingly endless Post Road East construction project is done.
The result is a nice 1/10-mile stretch of road between Fresh Market and McDonald’s, and a debatably improved intersection just east of Stop & Shop.
At least Westporters knew what was going on.
Another project — on Riverside Avenue — began last spring. It’s continued — in fits and starts — since then.
What’s it all about?
Andrew Colabella — the Representative Town Meeting member who knows just about everything — explains:
“Aquarion contracted Tinker to do water main. Once the entire main is done, they go back and do all the secondary lines that stem to the mainline. Now it’s sewer and other utilities.
“Dave Tinker Construction has another 7 to 10 days of work left for the season. This will include utility connections by Riverside Park, Treadwell Avenue and Robert Lane.
“They will return in May to pave the side of the road they did the excavating on only (state requirement). It would be great if they could repave everything, but it’s likely other utility work will occur.
“It’s efficient to do all utility work within the road before an entire repaving.”
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Westport resident Judy Kohn died peacefully on Thursday, with her husband of 56 years Monroe, and her children Traci and Mark by her side.
She is also survived by her son-in-law Jon; daughter-in-law Danna, and grandchildren Emma, Jordan, Ben and Talia.
A funeral service will be held tomorrow (Sunday, January 11, 11 a.m., Abraham Green & Son Funeral Home, Fairfield). A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will follow the service at the Ahavath Achim Cemetery in Fairfield. Shiva will be held privately.
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Bruce Geller often runs at Sherwood Island State Park. He’s used to seeing rocks on the shore.
But these were not the usual ones. Bearing messages like “Keep the faith,” “Be nice — it doesn’t hurt” and You!,” they clearly came from a collection — but whose? And why dump them there?
It’s an unnatural part of today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo feature. If anyone knows the back story, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Bruce Geller)
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And finally … happy 81st birthday to Rod Stewart.
There are so many great songs to pick from. Here are 5 of my favorites. What are yours?
(Another weekend … and “06880” is right here for you. If you appreciate Roundups like these — or any other feature — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Check with James Comey on the stones🇺🇸
Thanks for the Rod Stewart concert ‼️🇺🇸
He’s the best 👏