Hamlet is dead.
That is: The Hamlet at Saugatuck project has officially ended
ROAN Ventures — developer of the proposed retail/residential/hotel/marina project — withdrew their lawsuit.
If successful, the suit — filed in August — would have overturned the Planning & Zoning Commission’s rejection of the proposal.
The withdrawal occurred last week. It was reported yesterday by Westport Journal.
What’s next for the property, bordered by Riverside Avenue, Railroad Place and Charles Street?
Stay tuned.
Artist’s rendering of the Hamlet at Saugatuck project.
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Hoop dreams have come true for over 50 youngsters in Santo Domingo.
They’re the recipients of uniforms and basketballs, donated by Westport residents through Westport PAL.
Full Court Peace — a Norwalk organization that provides equipment to under-served communities — facilitated the delivery. They run frequent trips to the Dominican Republic, to repair courts and support youth leagues.
Boys in Santo Domingo sport Westport basketball jerseys.
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The Westport Rotary and Sunrise Rotary Clubs join their Norwalk and Wilton Rotary colleagues this Saturday, to help ease food insecurity.
At the Saugatuck Congregational Church event, dozens of volunteers will pack 12,500 nutritious meals. The clubs will then deliver them to Homes With Hope in Westport and Open Doors in Norwalk, for distribution through food pantries.
The church is providing the space, and custodial setup and cleanup, at no charge.
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Many Westporters hope to make a change in the world.
Few know how to do it.
On February 25 (7 p.m., Westport Library, Jacqueline Corbelli discusses her new book, “Changemaker: A Modern Playbook for Creating Personal Impact and Transformational Change.”
It’s a hometown event. Corbelli — a Westport resident — knows something about making a lasting impact.
As the first female founder in the advertising technology industry, she pioneered interactive TV with her company BrightLine. Her technology platform SustainChain addresses global sustainability and justice.
Locally, Corbelli organized a 24-hour relief drive after 9/11, at Toquet Hall. Click here for her website.
Jacqueline Corbelli
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A personal note on the death of Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Many years ago, I was in San Francisco. I checked out of my hotel in the morning, and had several hours before my flight.
I looked in the newspaper for something interesting to do. Jesse Jackson was speaking at a church. What a great opportunity to see a national figure1
It turned out to be a Black church. I was the only white person, in a very large crowd.
After his speech — eloquent, inspiring, delivered in a setting he was intimately familiar with — I joined a long reception line.
His large hand enveloped mine. He looked me in the eye, and smiled.
“Thank you for coming, brother,” Rev. Jackson said.
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Jazz pianist Matt DeChamplain brings his James P. Johnson-, Fats Waller-, Willie “The Lion” Smith- and Art Tatum-influenced talents to Jazz at the Post this Thursday (February 19, VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7).
He’s joined by long time associates Matt Dwonszyk (bass) and Jonathan Barber (drums), plus Kerry MacKillop (trumpet) and Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall (saxophone).
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Richard Fogel sends today’s de-“light”-ful “Westport … Naturally” photo:
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
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And finally … the New York Times buried the lede.
A recent obituary began:
Jerry Kennedy, the guitarist, producer and record executive who had a major hand in shaping the music being made in Nashville in the 1960s and ’70s, including chart-topping hits by Roger Miller, Roy Orbison, Tom T. Hall and Tammy Wynette, died on Wednesday in hospice care in Franklin, Tenn. He was 85.
It was not until paragraph 8 that we learn he “unleash(ed) the ferocious guitar solo” that opens “Oh, Pretty Woman.”
Well, maybe.
Wikipedia says it was Billy Sanford.
Either way, it clearly was not Roy Orbison.
Which is what I always assumed, for the past 60-plus years.
Hey: At least music’s best growl ever is his.
ENCORE: If you thought the #1 version of the song couldn’t get better … well, listen to this:
(“06880” is where Westport meets Roy Orbison. It doesn’t get better than that. Well, unless you click here to support our work. Mercy!)