The Westport Dog Festival celebrates 10 years on Sunday, May 17.
That’s 70 dog years.
The annual Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce event is once again set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, at every dog’s favorite spot: Winslow Park..
As always there will be goofy competitions, Police K-9 presentations, an obstacle course, kids’ activities, food trucks and more. Gilbert the Party Pig returns too, for children to pet and feed.
There are prizes for best tail wagger, best dressed, best kisser, best trick, best lap dog over 50 pounds, and dog that most looks like its owner.
There will be adoptables too, and information about non-profits.
Surrounding the main activities are over 60 pet-related vendors, picture taking, caricatures, face painting, games, giveaways and food trucks. WEBE 108 will broadcast live.
This year the entrance fee is cashless: credit card and Apple Pay only ($10 per person, $30 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children).
Proceeds benefit nonprofit organizations. So farm over $50,000 has been donated by the Chamber to deserving groups. Click here for more information.
These guys can’t wait to come to the Dog Festival again. (Photo/Charlie Scott)
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It’s been 86 years since Judy Garland sang “Over the Rainbow.” It — and she — are as beloved as ever.
On June 17 (7 p.m.), the Westport Country Playhouse presents “Get Happy!” –Jenna Pastuszek and Broadway’s Joshua Zecher Ross’ 103rd birthday celebration of the great entertainer.
It’s not an impersonation. It’s a playlist filled with beloved classics and forgotten gems, from “The Wizard of Oz,” “Easter Parade,” Judy Live at Carnegie Hall and much more.
Tickets go on sale today (Thursday) at noon. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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For a song, you can support the Staples High School music program.
The always-spectacular Pops Concert is June 5 (7 p.m, Levitt Pavilion). As always, it’s free — a gift from the Music Department to the town.
But it costs a lot to produce. Which is why local businesses might consider buying an ad in the program book.
Over 400 young musicians are enriched by Staples’ award-winning program. To reach them — and their parents, and everyone else at the Pops — click here to place an ad (or learn more). The deadline is May 22.
Questions? Email staples.music.parents.assn+ads@gmail.com.
Tons of Pops-goers will see your ad.
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Kyle Martino did not learn soccer in the streets of Westport.
But the 1999 Staples High graduate — and Gatorade High School Player of the Year, MLS Rookie of the Year and US men’s national team player, who has gone on to become a broadcaster and soccer entrepreneur — credits pick-up games with athletes of all ages as being a formative part of his development.
So Martino — who recently moved back to Westport — created Street FC. The app hosts street-style pickup games in unexpected spaces, from basketball and tennis courts to rooftops and empty lots, making it easy for anyone to show up and play.
The idea is so good, Martino won $250,000 on “Shark Tank” this winter.
The newest court will launch soon, right up the road. It’s at Goooal Sports (1791 Stratford Ave, Stratford).
Your first game is free. Just download the Street FC app here. Make an account, select “Bridgeport,” then find a game that works for your schedule and skill level.
See you on the pitch!
Street FC in Stratford.
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The next meeting of the Westport Book Shop’s Short Story Club is May 27 (6 p.m.).
With Mother’s Day approaching, the selections’ theme is appropriate: mothers and children. They are:
- “Hell–Heaven” by Jhumpa Lahiri
- “Housewifely Arts” by Megan Mayhew Bergman
- “Wisconsin” by Lisa Taddeo
Registration is required, as space is limited. Call 203-349-5141, or email RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.
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Hot on the heels of the Artemis success, the Westport Astronomical Society gets ready for a lecture on “Robotic Planetary Landers.”
Erik Bailey, aerospace engineer and veteran of multiple US Mars landings, will join remotely to survey humanity’s landings on other worlds: the moon, Venus, mars, Titan, Comet 67P, and asteroids Eros, Ryugu and Bennu.
The Bayberry Lane classroom will be open for the May 19 (8 p.m.) event. The talk will also be live-streamed on YouTube and via Zoom Webinar.
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Westport Police made 4 custodial arrests between April 29 and May 5.
A 30-year-old Danbury woman was charged with larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny and risk of injury to a child, following a March shoplifting incident at Ulta Beauty. Total loss due to theft was estimated at $3,157, with some items being put in a stroller. She was held on a $60,000 bond.
Two Waterbury men, ages 20 and 19, were charged with conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, after being observed on the Sherwood Island Connecticut. Both posted $7,500 bonds. A 17-year-old juvenile was also involved, and released to a parent.
A 37-year-old Philadelphia man was charge with failure to appear. He was released on a $25,000 bond.
A 32-year-old Brooklyn man was charged with failure to appear, after being incarcerated in New Jersey.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Texting while driving: 29 citations
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 6
- School zone violation: 6
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 5
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 4
- Failure to renew registration: 4
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 3
- Distracted driving: 3
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
- Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 2
- Speeding: 1
- School zone violation, 2nd offense: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Improper use of markers: 1
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We’re used to seeing ducks in the Saugatuck River.
In our backyard — not so much.
But these 2 mallards have been hanging out at Tracy Porosoff’s house.
They’re happy as clams ducks. And pleased as punch to pose for today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
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And finally … we’ve run this clip before.
But — as noted in the item above about Judy Garland’s upcoming Westport Country Playhouse “appearance,” it never gets old.
(Follow the yellow brick road … all the way to here, where you can easily and quickly — make a donation to “06880.” It doesn’t take a brain, heart or courage — just one click. Thank you all!)
Do you want to feel happy? Google the 1960s song “That Happy Feeling “ by Bert Kaemphert.
This is even better. “Don’t worry, be happy”