We often think of “Sudden Wealth Syndrome” as something that happens to lottery winners, pro athletes or people who suddenly come into millions.
But it happens to regular people too — you or (I wish) I. A first paycheck, big bonus, inheritance — even a raise — can mean money arrives before we’re prepared for it.
Tom Henske can help.
The longtime local resident — a financial literacy expert who developed a very popular “Total Cents” podcast at the Westport Library, and now is a University of Virginia professor teaching personal finance (and working closely with UVa athletes) — has just finished a TEDx Talk.
Titled “Why Suddenly Having Money (Often) Goes Wrong,” it covers what Henske calls the 4 P’s: Pause, Purpose, People and Plan.
He must be on to something. The 15-minute talk was selected as a TED Editor’s Choice. Like sudden wealth, that’s an unexpected bonus.
Click here or below for Tom Henske’s very compelling TEDx Talk.
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Scam alert!
Westport Police Department warn that fraudulent arrest warrants — like the one below — are being sent to residents.
Scammers use official-looking documents, names, case numbers and other information to make their claims appear legitimate. They want to pressure people into sending money, or providing personal information.
Anyone receiving a suspicious document, phone call, email or text claiming to be from law enforcement should not send money, or provide personal or financial information.
If you are ever unsure whether a communication from law enforcement is legitimate, contact the WPD at 203-341-6000.
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Speaking of cops: The Westport Police and Fire Departments will (hopefully) crush the Darien Police.
On the softball field, that is.
A charity game at Compo Beach this Sunday (August 30, 4 p.m.) will raise funds for LivFree. The non-profit supports children fighting cancer, and their families.
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Sure, there’s a pool at Staples.
But why play indoors, when you’ve got an entire sound to splash around in?
The annual outdoor water polo “field” has appeared again, off Schlaet’s Point.
Game on!
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
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Tired after the first week of school?
Tomorrow (Friday, August 28, 7 p.m.), Westport Country Playhouse rocks with “Cruel Summer: The Playhouse Playlist.”
The high-energy, back-to-school concert celebrates the music of Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter and other great artists.
One of the vocalists is Elyse Bell (currently starring in the Netflix film “Don’t Say Good Luck”). Click here or below to see her at Tuesday’s rehearsal. ).
Students enjoy a discount: $20 per ticket. Use the code STUDENTDISC. For more information and to purchase, click here,
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Hermes Botti worked at Arnie Kaye’s International Deli in 1991. He writes:
“Since it was an era before cellphones and digital cameras, I don’t have a single photograph from my time there.
“If anyone has photos of the deli — whether it’s the interior, the staff, or even background shots from old family visits — could you please share them? Finding these would mean a lot to me. Thank you so much!”
Email hermesfbotti@gmail.com. And please CC 06880blog@gmail.com. We’d love to see them too.
We don’t have any photos of Arnie Kaye’s International Deli. But here he is, in 1994.
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Westport Pride invites everyone — members of the LGBTQ community, allies, you name it — to happy hour at Yuzu restaurant.
It’s next Tuesday (September 1,, 6 to 8 p.m.). Complimentary light bites and happy hour drink specials are on the menu.
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We have to ask: Based on the sign below, is every married woman who shops there a “trad wife”?
(Photo/Andy Millard)
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between August 19 and 25.
A 47-year-old Westport man was charged with violation of probation. He was released on a $15,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Texting while driving: 8 citations
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 5
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 4
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
- Distracted driving: 3
- School zone violation: 1
- Construction zone violation 1
- Disorderly conduct: 1
- Violation of readable plates regulation: 1
- Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 1
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
- Failure to renew registration: 1
License plates must be readable!
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Steven Palmer — Westport’s Planning & Zoning director in the 2010s — passed away peacefully on Monday, surrounded by his family after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 59.
After college, the Fairfield native began a 20-plus-year career in municipal planning and zoning. He served as director in Westport, Bethel and New Canaan, earning a reputation for thoughtfulness and reasonableness.
In 2020 he left the public sector to join the family business, Judge Tool & Gage in Stratford. He helped his father Joe bring the 70-year-old company into the digital age. He recently hired his son Michael, to ensure the business remains in the family for future generations.
Steve loved golfing, beautifying his home and yard, traveling, hosting Sunday family dinners, and body surfing.and open up. Even the family dogs seemed to love Steve the most.
He is survived by his wife Theresa; children, Michael and Kelly, and their mother Karla; parents Joe and Gwen; brothers, Chris (Marjory) and Joe (Colleen); nieces, nephews and great-nephew; Theresa’s children Christian (Jessica), Allison (Michael), Matthew (fiancée Victoria), Helen and Fisher (Greg), and Theresa’s grandchildren Blakely, Pasquale, Walker and Giada.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday (August 31, 10 a.m., 10 a.m., St. Pius X Church, Fairfield). Friends and family may visit at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home in Fairfield on Sunda (August 30, 2 to 5 p.m.). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Smilow Cancer Hospital.
Steven Palmer
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The stars were aligned — well, the moon, a bird and sailboat were, anyway — for today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo.
Jim Corgel captured the image, near the Compo Beach cannons.
Tonight, a lunar eclipse will cause the moon to be almost entirely obscured behind the Earth’s shadow. It will begin shortly after 9:20 p.m., and peak at 12:12 a.m.
(Photo/Jim Corgel)
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And finally … as Tom Henske knows (story above):
(What would happen if “06880” suddenly got a boatload of money? We’d keep doing what we’re doing … and we’d stop asking for donations. But until then: Please click here to help. And thank you!)
