Westporters are justly proud of Lynsey Addario.
The 1991 Staples High School graduate’s photjournalism for the New York Times and National Geographic — along with her books, interviews, documentary and more — bring war, women’s issues, and (sometimes) hope into our lives.
Lynsey has received some major honors, including a Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur fellowship.
But now she’s officially one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
Time magazine includes Lynsey on their 2026 list. And they asked another very influential person — Katie Couric — to write about her.
Couric says:
The most recent time I interviewed photojournalist Lynsey Addario, she was hunkered down in a bathtub in Kyiv, clad in a bulletproof PRESS vest and a combat helmet. This was just one of the many times she chose to go into the eye of the storm searching for truth and recording it for history.
Lynsey’s photos leave an indelible impression: A grief-stricken Ukrainian teacher being handed an assault rifle to fulfill her patriotic duty. Young girls in burqas reaching out, almost through the camera, as boys in T-shirts and shorts run and play around them. A makeshift hospital room where somehow, some way, an infant in a war zone is getting an IV drip and oxygen.
If 2026 has taught us anything, it’s the power of images. The people and places Lynsey captures may be strangers in foreign lands, but they remind us of our shared humanity. You don’t just look at Lynsey’s photos. You feel them—as if you are there. But you don’t have to be, because she is, risking her life and making us care.
Click here for the Time story, and the complete 100 list.
Lynsey Addario …
… and one of her haunting images. (Photo/Lynsey Addario for the New York Times)
==================================================
A small group of Westport Country Playhouse supporters got a huge treat Tuesday evening.
Board of trustees chair Athena Adamson and her husband Daniel hosted them for a private concert with violinist Joshua Bell and his wife, soprano Larisa Martinez.
The event was a fundraiser for the Playhouse’s Joanne Woodward Internship Program.
Bell has a long association with Woodward and her late husband, Paul Newman, including performances for their Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Their daughter Clea was in the audience Tuesday.
Bell — who told several stories, including the one behind his 313-year-old Stradivarius violin — explained that music by Mozart and other masters was written to be played in small, intimate events at the homes of individuals. So, he said, the setting was particularly appropriate.
The music was marvelous, memorable — and very, very intimate.
Joshua Bell performs on Tuesday …
… and his wife, Larisa Martinez. The pianist is Kamal Khan. (Photos/Kerry Long)
=================================================
Dogs were banned from Westport beaches on April 1.
On May 1 — 2 weeks from now — drivers without stickers will be prohibited too.
Parking emblems are on sale now, online and in the Parks & Recreation Department office in Longshore.
If you purchased stickers or registered for Parks & Rec programs in previous seasons, your online account is already set up. Click here to log in. Then select “Memberships.” Westporters type in “Resident”; Westonites type “Weston” in the search box. Follow the prompt to complete the purchase.
It will take 14-21 business days to receive your emblem by mail. For in-person purchases, office hours are weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(Photo/Mark Marcus)
==================================================
Still figuring out your Arbor Day weekend plans?
Earthplace has you covered. “Toast to the Trees” (Saturday, April 25, 4 to 6 p.m.) is a family-friendly event, with something for everyone.
Visitors can take a self-guided trail walk through the 62-acre Earthplace sanctuary. Adults enjoy craft beer tastings, while children do nature-themed arts and crafts.
Nearby, in the beer garden and picnic grove, there’s live music, food trucks, lawn games and a campfire for s’mores.
100% of the proceeds benefit Earthplace nature education programs, scholarships and community outreach initiatives.
Tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for 21 and under. Click here to purchase.
==================================================
There is only one agenda item for Monday’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting (April 20, 6 p.m., Zoom).
Regarding the Imperial Avenue parking lot, it includes a request from the 1st Selectman “to extend the water line, to install a temporary seasonal single-use ADA compliant restroom and to restripe the parking to provide a net increase of 16 spaces including ADA compliant spaces.”
The Imperial Avenue parking lot — site of the Westport Farmers’ Market — is convenient to the Levitt Pavilion and Westport Library.
=================================================
In February, “06880” profiled Alex O’Brien.
The 13-year-old has created a booming business, taking very cool drone photos of Westport scenes, for individuals and businesses.
And he donates 10% of all profits to Homes with Hope’s food pantry.
This Saturday (April 18, noon to 2 p.m.), you can meet Alex.
He’ll be at Faherty (26 Main Street) for a pop-up event. As usual, Alex will donate 10% of each sale to Homes with Hope.
An added bonus: Faherty will give each customer a free canvas tote bag, in honor of Earth Month.
Downtown Westport, via Alex O’Brien’s drone. You can’t quite see Faherty, but it’s there on Main Street.
==================================================
A special Westport Country Playhouse symposium following this Sunday’s matinee of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Primary Trust,” focuses on people in the local community who make a difference by helping others.
The highly regarded play examines the importance of human connection, the power of kindness, and the essential trust needed to navigate life’s changes
Panelists include Rev. Richard Williams, pastor and executive director of Pivot Ministries in Bridgeport, and Liz Moore, director of community relations for Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan.
The free Sunday Symposium will be moderated by Mark Shanahan, Playhouse artistic director. he play examines the importance of human connection, the power of kindness, and the essential trust needed to navigate life’s changes.
“Primary Trust” runs through May 2. For more details and tickets, click here.
==================================================
The warm weather has many creatures stirring.
We’re featuring many, in our “Westport … Naturally” series. Today, for example:
Whitney Street (Richard Fogel)
==================================================
And finally … in honor of today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo (above):
(Don’t be a snake! If you enjoy “06880” — your 24/7/365, hyper-local blog — pony up. Please click here to support our massive amount of work, today and every day. Thank you!)
While we are restriping the parking lot, can we please just add a couple of basketball hoops. It is the perfect place to blow off some steam close to downtown.
Joshua Bell story. Either May of 2017 or 2018 I attended an end of season Portland Symphony Orchestra performance in which Bell was the headline solo performer. (He’s been back at least twice since then.) Went specifically for him. Of course, wonderful.
As part of the night, members of the Portland Youth Symphony played on the 2nd floor balcony as The Warm-Up Act. Towards the end of their stint, Bell nudged a cellist to take over the fellow’s instrument and finished the last piece. Just having fun.
To all those who attended the private performance, I hope you generously over-paid the opportunity.